President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Nasir Abdulsalam as the Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, stated this in a statement on Friday.
Imohisen stated that Abdulsalam’s appointment takes effect from April 3, 2025, and it aligns with the provisions of Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act 2008, as amended.
The statement reads, “Abdulsalam, a seasoned expert in the steel industry, previously served as the Technical Adviser to the Minister of Steel Development and as Special Assistant (Academics) to the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
“President Tinubu charged Abdulsalam with revitalising Ajaokuta Steel Company to drive industrial and economic activities that will support Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s leading industrial hub.
“The move is part of the administration’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises economic diversification and industrialisation.”
The Ajaokuta Steel Company, often regarded as Nigeria’s most ambitious industrial project, has long been positioned as a key player in the nation’s economic transformation.
Similarly, President Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ayo Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, effective immediately.
Mr. Sotinrin brings a diverse and extensive background in the private and public sectors to his new role.
A statement by the President Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said that Ayo before this appointment has held the position of 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 led SAO Capital, raising over $750 million in infrastructure and development finance, including the landmark $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.
In the public sector, he served as Special Adviser (Environment & Urban Development) to the Minister of State FCT from 2011 to 2015.
He has consulted extensively for global development partners such as the World Bank, AfDB, DFID, and USAID and played key advisory roles on federal and state-level projects. His international background includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.
Mr. Sotinrin holds an Executive MBA from Said Business School, Oxford University; an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation; and a Master’s in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University.
Mr Sotinrin’s appointment aligns with the Tinubu administration’s strategy to revitalise 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.
