President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ayo Sotinrin as the Bank of Agriculture’s new Managing Director yesterday, April 6th.

According to an announcement published by the presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Mr Sotinrin’s appointment, which took effect immediately, is consistent with the Tinubu administration’s objective to reinvigorate Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“Mr Sotinrin’s proven ability to mobilise capital, innovate in agribusiness, and collaborate across sectors will be instrumental in repositioning the Bank of Agriculture as a catalyst for food security, sovereignty and rural prosperity,” President Tinubu emphasised.

According to him, Sotinrin brings a diverse and extensive private and public sector background to his new role.

Before this appointment, he had served as Group Chief Executive Officer at SAO Group. His leadership at SAO Agro, an agribusiness company, was marked by groundbreaking agricultural initiatives, including developing a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation and large-scale poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava operations in Ondo State.

He also oversaw SAO Capital, which has funded over $750 million in infrastructure and development projects, including the landmark $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.

From 2011 until 2015, he served the state as the Minister of State FCT’s Special Adviser on Environment and Urban Development.

He has played important advising roles on federal and state-level initiatives and provided in-depth consultations for international development partners like the World Bank, AfDB, DFID, and USAID. His international experience includes positions at the UK Environment Agency, Deutsche Bank, and the Royal Bank of Scotland International.

Mr. Sotinrin has a Master’s in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University, an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation, and an Executive MBA from Oxford University’s Said Business School. 

Source: This Day