Tinubu Overhauls Agricultural Financing & Basic Education in Sweeping Board Appointments
By Passman Akpos
In a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural and education sectors, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the constitution of governing boards for the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
UBEC Board Reconstituted
The President reaffirmed the appointment of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as Chairman of the UBEC Board. Representing the six geo-political zones are:
South East: Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem
South South: Gift Ngo
South West: Mrs. Ibiwunmi Akinnola
North East: Dr. Meiro Mandara
North West: Dr. Abdu Imam Saulawa
North Central: Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro
The members will serve a four-year term in the first instance.
Bank of Agriculture Strengthened
President Tinubu confirmed the appointments of:
Muhammad Babangida — Chairman
Ayo Sotinrin — Managing Director
To further deepen financial support systems within the agricultural sector, the President approved the appointments of three executive directors:
Fatima Garba (Sokoto) — Corporate Services
Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi (Borno) — Risk Management & Strategy
Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami (Kwara) — Operations
He also appointed five non-executive directors, representing all geopolitical zones:
Aminu Malami Mohammed (North East)
Charles Amuchienwa (South East)
Oladejo Odunuga (South West)
Rabiu Idris Funtua (North West)
Kochi Donald Iorgyer (North Central)
NADF Board Unveiled
Following the appointment of Muhammad Abu Ibrahim in 2023 as Executive Secretary/CEO of NADF, President Tinubu has now constituted the Board of the young agency designed to boost farmers’ access to capital
Chairman: Mallam Bello Maccido (North West) — a top finance executive and pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank.
Other board members include:
Dr. Nelson Henry Essien (South South) — seasoned banker and consultant
Amina Ahmed Habib (North West) — Chartered Accountant
Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola (South West) — Engineer and investment leader
Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman (North East) — investment executive and founder of New Frontier Developments
Lufer Samson Orkar (North Central)
Felix Achibiri (South East) — energy sector business leader and CEO of DFC Holdings
A Renewed Push for Development
The appointments signal the government’s commitment to;
Expanding agricultural financing and innovation Strengthening institutional frameworks
Improving access to quality basic education nationwide
The announcement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), on December 5, 2025.
