FG Appoints New Board, Sets Fresh Agenda

The Federal Government has inaugurated a new Board of Directors for the Bank of Agriculture as part of efforts to strengthen the institution and improve its role in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The new board has been tasked with working together to promote the bank’s objectives and contribute to national development.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Abimbola Otepola-Ishaku from the Office of the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture. According to the statement, the newly constituted 10-member board is expected to improve corporate governance and provide fresh leadership for the government-owned financial institution.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The government expects the board to strengthen the bank’s efforts in supporting agricultural growth, improving food security, expanding financial services and contributing to sustainable economic development.

During the ceremony, the minister urged the board members to work towards projects that would create employment opportunities, reduce poverty and improve the living conditions of Nigerians through effective leadership and responsible management.

The Chairman of the Board, Muhammad Babangida, said the new board would work closely with the management team to improve the bank’s operations and support the Federal Government’s goals of boosting food production, creating jobs and promoting inclusive economic growth. He described the inauguration as the beginning of a fresh phase aimed at improving the bank’s performance and increasing its contribution to the country’s agricultural transformation.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ayodeji Sotinrin, also said the management would work with the board to turn its plans into practical results. He noted that the bank would focus on improving access to agricultural loans, building stronger partnerships and providing greater support to farmers, agribusinesses and rural communities across Nigeria.

He added that the institution would also increase efforts to provide affordable credit for agricultural activities, strengthen internal governance and risk management, and continue its digital transformation to improve service delivery across the country.

The newly inaugurated board includes Muhammad Babangida as Chairman, Ayodeji Sotinrin as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fatima Garba as Executive Director for Corporate Services, Hakeem Salami as Executive Director for Operations and Information Technology, Ka’amuna Khadi as Executive Director for Risk Management, while Rabiu Funtua, Kpochi Iorgyer, Aminu Mohammed, Oladejo Odunuga and Charles Amuchienwa will serve as Non-Executive Directors.