Tinubu Taps Northwest, Rewards Inclusivity: Appoints 9 Key Figures from the Region
Abuja, July 18, 2025 —
Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a strategic sweep of appointments, naming nine significant individuals—the first son of Ibrahim Babangida, plus three from Kano, two from Kaduna, one from Sokoto, one from Zamfara, and one from Oyo State—to lead federal agencies and strengthen bonds across the geopolitical zones.
Appointees & Strategic Balance
Muhammad Babangida (son of former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida) appointed Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture. A seasoned professional educated in Switzerland and Harvard-accredited, his selection sends a strong message of qualified inclusivity .
Kano State received three key roles:
- Jamilu Wada Aliyu as Chairman, National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)
- Yahuza Ado Inuwa as Chairman, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
- Sanusi Musa (SAN) as Chairman, Institute of Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
Kaduna State gained two appointments:
- Lydia Kalat Musa at Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA)
- Dr Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria as Executive Director, Integrated Water Resources Commission.
- From Sokoto, Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu now heads the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA).
- Zamfara was represented by Sanusi Garba Rikiji, Director-General, Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).
- Oyo State’s Mrs. Tomi Somefun took charge of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).
These selections reflect a clear, carefully calibrated approach to federal character enforcement and regional inclusion.
Historical Context & Regional Sensitivities
Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has faced criticism, particularly from the Northwest, over alleged underrepresentation in federal appointments. Borno Senator Ali Ndume—once among Tinubu’s critics—commended past efforts to correct imbalances, highlighting the importance of proportional regional inclusion.
Bringing northern representation not just now but across critical sectors—agriculture, education, standards, peacebuilding, trade—aligns with federal character provisions and fosters national cohesion.
Strategic Significance
Political Reconciliation
Prior divisions—particularly in Kaduna, Kano, and Zamfara—have been soothed through appointments of high-profile figures that hold influence across party lines and religious divides.
Institutional Strengthening
Positions like NERDC, SON, BOA, and OGFZA are critical to Nigeria’s developmental goals. Appointing credible, locally trusted leaders signals a push toward performance-driven governance.
Economic & Regional Signalling
- Muhammad Babangida adds banking sector credibility to rural agriculture.
- Water management through Kaduna’s appointee addresses chronic supply and irrigation concerns.
- Zamfara’s choice on trade aligns with Tinubu’s vision of boosting regional commerce.
Voices & Perspectives
Sen. Ali Ndume (Borno South):
> “These appointments reflect a welcome development … they restore confidence and show balance.”
Bayo Onanuga (Presidential Adviser):
> “Some of them will serve as chairmen or directors-general of Federal agencies.”
Regional Analysts
A Kano-based political commentator noted: “Tinubu’s appointments mute old grievances, signal outreach to the Northwest electorate and business elites.”
Deeper Analysis
Objective Momentum Next Steps
- Inclusion: Achieved with geographical and institutional diversity, sustained with performance monitoring
- Political Stability: Earned goodwill among aggrieved zones. Engage via outreach and structured town-halls
- Trust & Performance: Boosted via credible appointments. Deliver outcomes and accountability
- Economic Vision: Leveraging sectors like agriculture and trade, integrate appointees into national economic frameworks.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s appointment sweep underscores political sagacity, mending perceived cracks in representation while strategically positioning federal governance. The inclusion of key figures like Muhammad Babangida, alongside trusted regional actors, showcases a leadership committed to balancing regional equities without sacrificing institutional competence.
This isn’t merely about filling posts—it’s about inclusive nation-building, political healing, and economic mobilization, all engineered through thoughtful appointments rather than empty rhetoric.
By Ibrahim Aliyu.
Senior Political & Policy Editor, Headlinenews.news
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS MUHAMMAD BABANGIDA CHAIRMAN OF THE BANK OF AGRICULTURE, OTHERS AS CHAIRMEN AND HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Muhammad Babangida, the son of the former military President, as chairman of the revamped Bank of Agriculture.
President Tinubu approved the appointment today, along with seven others. Some of them will serve as chairmen or directors-general of Federal agencies.
Muhammad Babangida, 53, is an alumnus of the European University in Montreux, Switzerland, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Public Relations and Business Communication. He later attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Program on Corporate Governance in 2002.
Others appointed by the President are:
- Lydia Kalat Musa (Kaduna State) Chairman, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA).
- Jamilu Wada Aliyu (Kano State) Chairman, National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
- The Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa (Kano State) is the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) chairman.
- Sanusi Musa (SAN, Kano State) is the Chairman of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution(IPCR).
- Prof. Al-Mustapha Alhaji Aliyu (Sokoto State) is the Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA).
- Sanusi Garba Rikiji (Zamfara State) is the Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN).
- Mrs Tomi Somefun (Oyo State) is the Managing Director of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).
- Dr Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria (Kaduna State) has been appointed Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC).
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
July 18, 2025
