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Tinubu Appoints Ganduje, Ajibola, Others As Heads Of Federal Agencies
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of board chairpersons for 42 federal organizations, alongside other key leadership positions, as part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen governance structures across the country.
Among the notable appointees is Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has been named Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Similarly, APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola, has been appointed Chairman of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).
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The appointments, announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, include key figures from diverse sectors of the country.
In the statement, Onanuga revealed that President Tinubu had also appointed a new Managing Director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a Director-General for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organizations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services,” the statement read.
“The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).”
Here is the full list of the appointments announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
1. Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) – Abdullahi Ganduje (Chairman)
2. National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) – Senator Bashiru Ajibola (Chairman)
3. Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company – Sulaiman Argungu (Chairman)
4. National Agency for Great Green Wall – Senator Magnus Abe (Chairman)
5. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – Hillard Eta (Chairman)
6. Nigerian Institute of International Affairs – Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi (Chairman)
7. National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) – Kazeem Kolawole Raji (Director-General)
8. Nigerian Railway Corporation – Dr. Kayode Isiak Opeifa (Managing Director)
9. Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria – Nasiru Gawuna (Chairman)
10. National Teachers Institute – Festus Fuanter (Chairman)
11. Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria – Mustapha Salihu (Chairman)
12. Industrial Training Fund – Hamma Adama Ali Kumo (Chairman)
13. Nigerian Institute of Educational Planning and Administration – Victor Tombari Giadom (Chairman)
14. Nigerian Postal Service – D.J. Kekemeke (Chairman)
15. National Inland Waterways Authority – Musa Sarkin Adar (Chairman)
16. National Steel Council – Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar (Chairman)
17. National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) – Garba Datti Muhammad (Chairman)
18. National Bio-Safety Management Agency – Mu’azu Bawa Rijau (Chairman)
19. Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Durosimi Meseko (Chairman)
20. Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology – Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa (Chairman)
21. Sheda Science and Technology Complex – Senator Abubakar Maikafi (Chairman)
22. Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe – Zainab A. Ibrahim (Chairman)
23. Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti – Durotolu Oyebode Bankole (Chairman)
24. Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta – Abdullahi Dayo Israel (Chairman)
25. Federal Medical Centre, Asaba – Dr. Mary Alile Idele (Chairman)
26. Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja – Nze Chidi Duru (Chairman)
27. Federal Medical Centre, Owerri – Emma Eneukwu (Chairman)
28. Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia – Uguru Mathew Ofoke (Chairman)
29. Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa – Felix Chukwumenoye Morka (Chairman)
30. Federal Medical Centre, Yola – Bashir Usman Gumel (Chairman)
31. David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Ubuhu, Ebonyi State – Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu (Chairman)
32. Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) – Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar (Chairman)
33. Federal Scholarship Board – Babatunde Fakoyede (Chairman)
34. National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency – Edward Omo-Erewa (Chairman)
35. Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) – Isa Sadiq Achida (Chairman)
36. Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu – Mohammed Gusau Hassan (Chairman)
37. National Building and Road Research Institute – Yahuza Ado Inuwa (Chairman)
38. Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority – Abubakar Shehu Wurno (Chairman)
39. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital – Augustine Chukwu Umahi (Chairman)
40. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi – Ali Bukar Dalori (Chairman)
41. Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria – Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)
42. Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services Board – Jubril Abdulmalik (Secretary)
43. Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund – Shola Olofin (Chairman)
All appointments take immediate effect and the President has directed all board chairpersons to refrain from interfering in the day-to-day management of the agencies, emphasizing that their roles are strictly non-executive.
“President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organizations, emphasizing that their positions are non-executive,” Onanuga added.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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