In a significant move to strengthen the management of Nigeria’s federal institutions, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed new chairpersons for 42 federal agencies and key personnel for critical roles within the civil service. The appointments, which span several key sectors, reflect the government’s commitment to improving the leadership of important public organizations in line with its developmental goals.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. The new appointments cover a wide array of ministries, with significant emphasis on education, health, infrastructure, and economic development.
Among the notable appointments are Dr. Kayode Isiak Opeifa as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), a position that is crucial for driving the government’s ambitious plans to expand and modernize the country’s railway infrastructure. Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik (Rtd) was appointed Secretary of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services Board. This board oversees the operations of three critical security and law enforcement bodies in Nigeria.
The President’s directive was clear: all appointments are effective immediately, and the new chairpersons, many of whom hold non-executive positions, are expected to refrain from interfering with the day-to-day operations of the organizations they are set to lead. This structure aims to provide strong leadership oversight without undermining the autonomy of the agencies.
A closer look at the appointments reveals the range of institutions that will benefit from fresh leadership. For example, Hon. Hillard Eta, a former member of the Nigerian National Assembly, has been appointed Chairman of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) under the Ministry of Youth Development. Eta’s leadership is expected to bring innovation to the NYSC, which plays a critical role in national service and youth empowerment.
In the field of international relations, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi has been appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA). His wealth of experience in diplomacy and foreign relations is seen as a major asset in strengthening Nigeria’s engagement on the global stage.
Another significant appointment is that of H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, the Governor of Kano State, who has been named Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). With Nigeria’s airports playing a central role in both domestic and international travel, Ganduje’s appointment is viewed as pivotal in ensuring the growth and modernization of the country’s aviation infrastructure.
In the energy sector, H. E. Sulaiman Argungu has been appointed Chairman of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), while Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi will now lead the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP). These appointments are aimed at revitalizing the country’s energy and technology sectors, both of which are key to driving economic growth.
Healthcare also received significant attention in the latest appointments. Several teaching hospitals across Nigeria, including the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, the Federal Medical Centres in Abeokuta, Asaba, Lokoja, and Owerri, among others, now have new chairpersons to help steer them toward improved service delivery.
Among these appointments, the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, will be led by Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, while the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, will now be overseen by Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka. This is in line with President Tinubu’s broader objective to reform the healthcare system and improve public health services across the country.
In another critical development, Chief D. J. Kekemeke has been appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST). His leadership will be key in modernizing Nigeria’s postal services and improving the delivery of essential mail and packages across the country.
The President’s decision to appoint such a broad range of individuals from various backgrounds and political affiliations shows his focus on strengthening governance through the selection of experienced leaders. These appointments come at a time when Nigeria is facing numerous challenges in areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and energy. By placing new leadership at the helm of key organizations, the President hopes to foster efficiency, innovation, and transparency in the public sector.
Moreover, the inclusion of several former lawmakers and state governors, such as H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje and Senator Magnus Abe, signals a move toward a more politically diverse approach to leadership in federal agencies. These appointments are expected to bring a wealth of political experience to bear on policy-making and governance at the federal level.
The full list of appointees also includes several individuals taking leadership roles in key economic sectors, such as the National Sugar Development Council, the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). These sectors are critical to Nigeria’s growth, as they contribute to food security, scientific research, and maritime safety.
As President Tinubu’s administration continues to push for economic growth and infrastructural development, these appointments are part of a broader strategy to ensure that key agencies are led by capable individuals who can drive the country forward.
See the full list below.
1. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Hillard Eta — Chairman (Cross River)
2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
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Bolaji Akinyemi — Chairman (Lagos)
3. FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION
Abdullahi Ganduje — Chairman (Kano)
4. NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
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Bashiru Ajibola — Chairman (Osun)
5. NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY
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Sulaiman Argungu — Chairman (Kebbi)
6. NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL
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Magnus Abe — Chairman (Rivers)
7. NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE
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Festus Fuanter — Chairman (Plateau)
8. NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)
Raji Kolawole — Director-General (Oyo)
9. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
Victor Giadom — Chairman (Rivers)
10. TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
Mustapha Salihu — Chairman (Adamawa)
11. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND
Hamma Ali Kumo — Chairman (Gombe)
12. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
Donatus Nwankpa — Chairman (Abia)
13. SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX
Abubakar Maikafi — Chairman (Bauchi)
14. FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA
Nasiru Gawuna — Chairman (Kano)
15. NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION
Tokunbo Afikuyomi — Chairman (Lagos)
16. NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE
Kekemeke — Chairman (Ondo)
17. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
Musa Adar — Chairman (Sokoto)
18. NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL
Abdulkarim Abubakar — Chairman (Nasarawa)
19. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
Garba Muhammad — Chairman (Kaduna)
20. NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Mu’azu Rijau — Chairman (Niger)
21. NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Durosimi Meseko — Chairman (Kogi)
22. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE
Zainab Ibrahim — Chairman (Taraba)
23. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION
Kayode Opeifa — Managing Director (Lagos)
24. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI
Durotolu Oyebode Bankole — Chairman (Ogun)
25. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA
Dayo Israel — Chairman (Lagos)
26. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA
Mary Idele — Chairman (Edo)
27. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA
Chidi Duru (OON) — Chairman (Anambra)
28. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI
Emma Eneukwu — Chairman (Enugu)
29. CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD
Jubril Abdulmalik — Secretary (Kano)
30. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA
Uguru Ofoke — Chairman (Ebonyi)
31. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA
Felix Morka— Chairman (Delta)
32. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA
Bashir Gumel — Chairman (Jigawa)
33. DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE
Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)
34. NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY
Edward Omo-Erewa — Chairman (Edo)
35. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)
Yusuf Abubakar — Chairman (Kaduna)
36. NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE
Ali Dalori — Chairman (Borno)
37. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE
Lawal Liman — (Chairman)
38. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA
Abubakar Maiha— (Chairman)
39. RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)
Isa Achida — Chairman (Sokoto)
40. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU
Mohammed Hassan — Chairman (Zamfara)
41. NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Yahuza Inuwa — Chairman (Nasarawa)
42. SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Abubakar Wurno — Chairman (Sokoto)
43. AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL
Augustine Umahi — Chairman (Ebonyi)
44. FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
Babatunde Fakoyede — Chairman (Ekiti)
45. NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND
