Tinubu Appoints Muhammad Babangida As Head Of Bank Of Agriculture.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Muhammad Babangida, son of former Nigerian military leader Ibrahim Babangida, as the new chairman of the restructured Bank of Agriculture (BOA). The announcement, made on Friday, 18 July 2025, marks a significant step in the administration’s efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Babangida, aged 53, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Business Communication from the European University in Montreux, Switzerland. He further honed his expertise through Harvard Business School’s Executive Programme on Corporate Governance in 2002. His appointment is part of a broader set of approvals by President Tinubu, which includes seven other individuals tasked with leading various federal agencies, as confirmed by the president’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
The Bank of Agriculture, originally established as the Nigerian Agricultural Bank in 1972, plays a pivotal role in financing farmers and agribusinesses across Nigeria. The institution is central to the government’s strategy to enhance food security, promote rural prosperity, and drive economic growth through agricultural development. Babangida’s leadership is expected to steer the bank towards greater efficiency and innovation, supporting both smallholder farmers and large-scale agro-industrial projects.
President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Babangida follows the earlier appointment of Ayo Sotinrin as the bank’s Managing Director in April 2025, reflecting a concerted effort to strengthen the institution’s leadership. The president has expressed confidence in Babangida’s ability to mobilise capital and foster innovation, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
This development comes amidst Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms, which have faced challenges such as rising inflation and currency depreciation. By bolstering the Bank of Agriculture, the government aims to address food security concerns and stimulate rural economies, offering hope for sustainable growth in one of Nigeria’s most critical sectors.
