By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
MOVES TO strengthen oversight in key federal institutions prompted the latest confirmation and announcement of board compositions for the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), following details released by the Presidency.
The new structure outlines a broad spread of appointments across Nigeria’s geo-political zones, aligning with the framework set out in the press statement.
In a release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), dated 5 December 2025, it stated that the UBEC retains Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as board chairman, following his appointment in July.
The board includes Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem as member representing the South-East, with Gift Ngo representing the South-South. Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola has been appointed to represent the South-West, while Dr Meiro Mandara represents the North-East, Dr Abdu Imam Saulawa the North-West, and Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro the North-Central.
The release stated that the chairman and members will hold office for four years in the first instance.
Onanuga confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointments of Muhammad Babangida as chairman of the BoA and Ayo Sotinrin as the bank’s managing director, in line with earlier announcements.
He added that the President also approved the appointment of three executive directors and five non-executive directors to the bank, representing all six geo-political zones.
The release listed the three executive directors as 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.
It further stated that the non-executive directors appointed include Aminu Malami Mohammed for the North-East, Charles Amuchienwa for the South-East, Oladejo Odunuga for the South-West, Rabiu Idris Funtua for the North-West, and Kochi Donald Iorgyer for the North-Central.
It recalled that President Tinubu appointed Muhammad Abu Ibrahim in October 2023 as executive secretary and chief executive officer of the NADF, with the responsibility of leading the young agency conceived by farmers and agripreneurs to boost access to affordable capital.
It added that the President has now constituted the Fund’s board in accordance with the statute governing the agency.
The release named Mallam Bello Maccido, the pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, as board chairman.
It stated that he has more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry and represents the North-West on the board.
The release identified Dr Nelson Henry Essien as representing Akwa Ibom and the South-South, describing him as a financial consultant and banker.
Amina Ahmed Habib was also named as a member, representing Jigawa and the North-West. According to the release, she is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
The statement further included the appointment of engineer Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola from Ondo State, who represents the South-West.
It listed Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman from Borno as the representative of the North-East, saying he is founder of New Frontier Developments Ltd and a former non-executive director of Access Bank.
Another appointment identified in the release is Lufer Samson Orkar from Benue, who represents the North-Central.
The final appointee listed in the release is Felix Achibiri from Imo State, who represents the South-East, stating he had served as Group Director of Genesis Energy Holdings and is chairman and chief executive officer of DFC Holdings Limited.
These appointments, as outlined in the release, complete the board composition for the National Agricultural Development Fund.
