PRESIDENT TINUBU CONSTITUTES BOARDS OF NADF, BANK OF AGRICULTURE, AND UBEC

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the composition of the boards for the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), marking a significant step in reinforcing key sectors of the economy.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Tinubu has approved the appointments of board members for NADF, BOA, and UBEC to enhance their effectiveness in delivering on their mandates.” The statement detailed the extensive list of appointees across the three agencies.

For the UBEC board, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, appointed in July, continues to serve as chairman. Onanuga confirmed that other members include Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem representing the South East, Gift Ngo representing the South South, Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola representing the South West, Dr Meiro Mandara representing the North East, Dr Abdu Imam Saulawa representing the North West, and Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro representing the North Central. The chairman and members shall hold office for a term of four years in the first instance.

Regarding the Bank of Agriculture, President Tinubu confirmed the appointments of Muhammad Babangida as chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director, as previously announced. Onanuga stated that the President also appointed three executive directors and five non-executive directors to the bank, representing Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. The executive directors are Fatima Garba from Sokoto as executive director, Corporate Services; Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi from Borno as executive director, Risk Management and Strategy; and Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami from Kwara as executive director, Operations. The non-executive directors include Aminu Malami Mohammed (North East), Charles Amuchienwa (South East), Oladejo Odunuga (South West), Rabiu Idris Funtua (North West), and Kochi Donald Iorgyer (North Central).

For the National Agricultural Development Fund, President Tinubu in October 2023 appointed Muhammad Abu Ibrahim as the executive secretary and CEO to lead the agency conceived by farmers and agripreneurs to boost access to affordable capital. In accordance with the Fund’s statute, Onanuga added that the President has now constituted the board members who will be pivotal to the agency’s work. Mallam Bello Maccido, the pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited with over 30 years of experience in financial services, is the board chairman representing the North West. Other members include Dr Nelson Henry Essien, a prominent financial consultant and seasoned banker representing Akwa Ibom and the South-South; Amina Ahmed Habib, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants representing Jigawa and the North-West; Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola, an engineer with diversified business interests representing the South West; Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman from Borno, founder of New Frontier Developments Ltd and a former non-executive director of Access Bank, representing the North East; Lufer Samson Orkar from Benue representing North Central; and Felix Achibiri from Imo, Group Director of Genesis Energy Holdings and chairman and CEO of DFC Holdings Limited, representing the South East.

Onanuga emphasized that these appointments reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring robust leadership for agencies critical to agricultural development and basic education in Nigeria. The statement was issued on December 5, 2025.