President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a fresh round of appointments into key federal agencies and commissions, naming 26 individuals to strategic positions across 10 government institutions in what observers describe as a significant move to strengthen governance, public service delivery and institutional effectiveness.
Among the appointments attracting the most attention is that of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who was named Chairman of the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), an agency at the forefront of expanding electricity access to underserved and rural communities across Nigeria.
The appointments, announced in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, took immediate effect.
Fayose’s appointment has generated widespread reactions across political circles, given his long-standing association with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his previous criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting to the development, the former governor appeared to acknowledge the irony of the moment in a statement that quickly gained traction on social media.
“From ‘I’m a PDP member and will never join APC or collect appointment’ to an important appointment by an APC President. Nigerian politics keeps proving that anything is possible,” Fayose was quoted as saying.
Political analysts say the appointment underscores Tinubu’s increasing willingness to draw experienced figures from across political divides into governance.
Under the new REA board, Fayose will work alongside Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive directors, while the agency’s Director-General, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and other executive directors will continue overseeing day-to-day operations.
The President also approved the reconstitution of the National Salary and Wages Commission, appointing retired Major General Junaid Bindawa as Chairman.
Former House of Representatives member, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, was appointed Secretary of the Commission.
Other commissioners include: Dr. Ogbole Ene Lilian (Benue), Oladele Olatubosun (Oyo), Yakubu Umar Barde (Kaduna)
Additional members include: Dr. Mai Adamu Yau (Borno), Ginika Florence Tor (Enugu), Engineer Lawrence Okoh (Edo) and Bello Morenike Iyabode (Kogi)
The commission plays a critical role in determining salary structures and remuneration policies within the Nigerian public service.
In further appointments, President Tinubu named Dr. Abuh Mohammed as Director-General of the National Population Commission (NPC), while Dr. Akinola Odeyemi emerged as Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
The President also appointed Dr. Anthony Inalegwu Godwin as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, a position expected to drive the country’s long-term nuclear energy and research ambitions.
At the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Ilorin, Kwara State, Engineer Julius Oloro was appointed Chief Executive Officer, replacing the late Dr. A.R. Kamal, who passed away in January.
President Tinubu also approved the constitution of a new board for the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC).
The board will be chaired by Dr. Abdullahi Maikano Saidu, with members including: Mohammed Asmau, Mohammed Aliyu Makama, Dr. Suleiman Gidado, Louis O. Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele, Olaniyi Idowu Onikola
The commission is responsible for promoting fiscal discipline, transparency and prudent management of public resources.
In another notable development, Tosin Johnson Adeyanju, previously appointed Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), has been redeployed as Secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
President Tinubu also appointed Shuni Muhammad Dahiru as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, replacing Professor Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, who was earlier reassigned to the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF).
New Appointment for Federal Housing Authority
To fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mathias Byuan, who left the Federal Housing Authority to pursue his governorship ambition in Benue State, the President appointed Gisaor Vincent Iorja as Executive Director, Finance.
Iorja is an economist, legal scholar and academic who currently serves as Secretary of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC).
Observers view the latest appointments as part of the President’s broader effort to strengthen critical institutions in sectors ranging from power and infrastructure to education, agriculture, fiscal management and public administration.
The appointments come at a time when the administration is pursuing economic reforms, power sector expansion, revenue optimisation and enhanced public service delivery across the country.
Leave a comment