President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the full composition of the governing boards for three pivotal national agencies: the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
The move finalises the leadership structure for bodies central to the government’s agenda on food security, agricultural finance, and foundational education.
The statement, released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday confirms a series of appointments designed to ensure both geopolitical representation and experienced oversight.
For UBEC, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, appointed in July, continues as chairman, leading a board whose members “shall hold office for a term of four years in the first instance.”
The BOA board sees the confirmation of Muhammad Babangida as chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director, supported by three executive directors and five non-executive directors from across Nigeria’s six zones.
Regarding the NADF, President Tinubu has now constituted the board members who will be “pivotal to the agency’s work.” The board is chaired by Mallam Bello Maccido, the “pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited.”
It includes other prominent figures such as Dr Nelson Henry Essien, a “prominent financial consultant and seasoned banker,” and Felix Achibiri, the “Group Director of Genesis Energy Holdings.” The agency itself was “conceived by farmers and agripreneurs, to boost access to affordable capital,” and is led by an executive secretary appointed in October 2023.
The appointments draw from a wide range of professional backgrounds in finance, business, and development, and are seen as a critical step in providing strategic direction for the agencies.
The presidency stated that the newly formed boards are expected to drive forward the mandates of their respective institutions, enhancing service delivery and supporting national development goals.
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