President Bola Tinubu has announced the constitution of the boards of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
The development was confirmed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who was appointed in July, continues as chair of the UBEC board.
Other members represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, and the board members will serve for an initial term of four years.
The statement said, “Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem has been appointed to represent the South East, while Gift Ngo represents the South South.
“Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola will represent the South West on the board, Dr Meiro Mandara the North East, Dr Abdu Imam Saulawa the North West, and Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro the North Central. The chairman and members of the board shall hold office for a term of four years in the first instance.”
At the Bank of Agriculture, Muhammad Babangida was confirmed as chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director.
Three executive directors and five non-executive directors were also appointed to represent the six geopolitical zones.
The statement added, “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 appointed to the bank’s board 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, Bello Maccido, former chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank, was named board chairman.
Other members, representing the six geopolitical zones, will help guide the Fund’s mission to expand access to affordable financing for farmers and agripreneurs.
Onanuga noted, “Other members include a prominent financial consultant and seasoned banker, Dr Nelson Henry Essien, representing Akwa Ibom and the South-South, and Amina Ahmed Habib, representing Jigawa and the North-West. Amina is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
“Another member appointed by President Tinubu is Ondo State-born Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola, an engineer with diversified business interests. He represents the South West.
“Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman from Borno represents the North East on the board. He is the founder of New Frontier Developments Ltd and a former non-executive director of Access Bank. Lufer Samson Orkar from Benue represents North Central.
“Felix Achibiri from Imo represents the South East. He is the Group Director of Genesis Energy Holdings and the chairman and CEO of DFC Holdings Limited.”
Muhammad Abu Ibrahim serves as the Fund’s executive secretary and CEO.
The statement noted that the boards would be “pivotal to the agency’s work”, ensuring greater support and financing for the agricultural and education sectors across Nigeria.
