By Crystal Ugoeze
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of governing boards for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the UBEC board remains chaired by Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who was appointed in July.
Other members representing Nigeria’s geo-political zones include Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem (South East), Gift Ngo (South South), Mrs. Ibiwunmi Akinnola (South West), Dr. Meiro Mandara (North East), Dr. Abdu Imam Saulawa (North West), and Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro (North Central). They are to serve an initial four-year term.
The President also confirmed the appointments of Muhammad Babangida as chairman of the Bank of Agriculture and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director, alongside three executive directors and five non-executive directors drawn from across the country.
The executive directors are Fatima Garba (Corporate Services), Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi (Risk Management and Strategy), and Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami (Operations). The non-executive directors include Aminu Malami Mohammed, Charles Amuchienwa, Oladejo Odunuga, Rabiu Idris Funtua and Kochi Donald Iorgyer.
Tinubu further named the board of the National Agricultural Development Fund, which will support farmers and enhance access to agricultural financing. The agency had earlier received Muhammad Abu Ibrahim as executive secretary and chief executive.
Mallam Bello Maccido, pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank, leads the NADF board. Other members include financial consultant Dr. Nelson Henry Essien (South South), chartered accountant Amina Ahmed Habib (North West), Ondo-born engineer Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola (South West), Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman (North East), Lufer Samson Orkar (North Central) and Felix Achibiri (South East).
Onanuga said the new board appointments are expected to strengthen governance and ensure coordinated delivery of Federal Government policies across the sectors.