President Tinubu has approved the constitution and reconstitution of the governing boards of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Below is the full list of appointed chairmen, executive directors, and members:

UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION COMMISSION (UBEC) BOARD
- Chairman: Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (retained)

- South East Representative: Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem

- South South Representative: Gift Ngo

- South West Representative: Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola

- North East Representative: Dr Meiro Mandara

- North West Representative: Dr Abdu Imam Saulawa

- North Central Representative: Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro

(Term: 4 years in the first instance)

BANK OF AGRICULTURE (BOA)

- Chairman: Muhammad Babangida

- Managing Director/CEO: Ayo Sotinrin

Executive Directors
- Fatima Garba (Sokoto) – Executive Director, Corporate Services

- Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi (Borno) – Executive Director, Risk Management & Strategy

- Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami (Kwara) – Executive Director, Operations

Non-Executive Directors
- Aminu Malami Mohammed – North East
- Charles Amuchienwa – South East
- Oladejo Odunuga – South West
- Rabiu Idris Funtua – North West
- Kochi Donald Iorgyer – North Central

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (NADF) BOARD
- Executive Secretary/CEO (previously appointed): Muhammad Abu Ibrahim

- Chairman: Mallam Bello Maccido (North West)

Members
- Dr Nelson Henry Essien – South South (Akwa Ibom)
- Amina Ahmed Habib – North West (Jigawa)
- Engr. Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola – South West (Ondo)
- Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman – North East (Borno)
- Lufer Samson Orkar – North Central (Benue)
- Felix Achibiri – South East (Imo)

The appointments take immediate effect.

Former AGF Malami Denies Terrorism Financing Allegations, Says Claims Are Politically Motivated

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing, insisting he has never been questioned or investigated by any security or intelligence agency. He described the reports as misleading and politically driven, noting that his engagements were lawful. Malami recently appeared before the EFCC for clarification on unrelated issues and was granted bail after interrogation.

Tinubu Constitutes Boards of NADF, Bank of Agriculture, UBEC

…Appoints Chairmen, Executive Directors, Zonal Representatives

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of the governing boards of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), with appointments reflecting federal character and professional expertise.

Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, earlier appointed in July, retains his position as Chairman of the UBEC Board.

New zonal representatives appointed to the board are:

South East: Uchendu Ikechi

Mbaegbulem
South South:

Gift Ngo
South West:

Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola
North East:

Dr Meiro Mandara
North West:

Dr Abdu Imam Saulawa
North Central:

Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro

The Chairman and members shall serve an initial four-year term.

Bank of Agriculture (BOA)
President Tinubu confirmed the earlier appointments of Muhammad Babangida as Chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

Three Executive Directors and five Non-Executive Directors were also named:

Executive Directors
Fatima Garba (Sokoto) – Corporate Services

Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi (Borno) – Risk Management and Strategy
Hakeem

Oluwatosin Salami (Kwara) – Operations

Non-Executive Directors

Aminu Malami Mohammed – North East

Charles Amuchienwa – South East

Oladejo Odunuga – South West

Rabiu Idris Funtua – North West

Kochi Donald Iorgyer – North Central

National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF)
Mallam Bello Maccido, pioneer Chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited with over 30 years’ experience in financial services, was appointed Chairman of the NADF Board (representing North West).

Other board members include:

Dr Nelson Henry Essien (Akwa Ibom/South South) – Financial Consultant and Seasoned Banker

Amina Ahmed Habib (Jigawa/North West) – Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants

Engr. Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola (Ondo/South West) – Engineer and Businessman

Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman (Borno/North East) – Founder, New Frontier Developments Ltd; former Non-Executive Director, Access Bank

Lufer Samson Orkar (Benue/North Central)

Felix Achibiri (Imo/South East) – Group Director, Genesis Energy Holdings; Chairman/CEO, DFC Holdings Limited

The appointments follow the October 2023 naming of Muhammad Abu Ibrahim as Executive Secretary/CEO of NADF.

The new boards are expected to drive agricultural financing, rural development, and universal basic education delivery across the country.

Ex-Army General Ali-Keffi Links Terror Suspects to Top Nigerian Officials, Alleges Cover-Up

Retired Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi has revealed that a 2021 counter-terrorism probe identified several terror-financing suspects connected to powerful Nigerian figures, including former AGF Abubakar Malami, ex-COAS Tukur Buratai, ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, and others. He alleges that the operation was sabotaged, suspects were secretly released, and he was detained and forced into retirement for refusing to compromise the investigation.

"Justice will always prevail, we're constructive, we're never destructive, we will remain constructive and continue to construct and then fight injustice" Abubakar Malami, SAN

JUST IN: Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami Released by EFCC After Hours of Questioning

EFCC Grills Ex-AGF Malami, Grants Bail After Producing Two Senior Civil Servants.

The EFCC interrogated former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over multiple allegations and later granted him bail after he provided two top civil servants as sureties. Malami confirmed he was invited to clarify certain issues, insisting he remains committed to integrity and accountability. His questioning comes amid long-standing allegations, including controversial approvals linked to the $418m Paris Club refund and disputed legal fees involving Dr. Ted Edward. Malami has not been formally charged.#EFCC #Malami #CorruptionProbe

Nnamdi Kanu Opens Defence, Lists 23 Witnesses Including Wike, Sanwo-Olu and Ex-Military Chiefs.

Detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has agreed to open his defence, marking a major turn in his long-running trial.

This comes just hours after protests in parts of Abuja led by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, calling for Kanu’s release.

Kanu had earlier filed a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction, but in a fresh application on Tuesday, October 21, he informed Justice James Omotosho that he was ready to defend himself, citing a previous court order directing him to begin on October 24, 2025.

He revealed plans to call 23 witnesses divided into two groups—“ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses”—to testify under Section 232 of the Evidence Act.

He also requested 90 days to conclude his defence, indicating he may now be representing himself instead of his legal team led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

Among those he intends to summon as witnesses are former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), ex-Army Chief Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Works Minister Dave Umahi, former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami (SAN), and ex-NIA DG Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Kanu said he would personally testify to “deny the allegations” and explain the political context of his actions, assuring the court that he would not waste its time and that “justice must be seen to be done.”

Meanwhile, on the same day, a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others who joined the protests demanding his release. 

They face charges of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and public disturbance, and will appear in court again on October 24.

Sam Amadi: “Nigeria Needs Fresh Leaders, Not Recycled Politicians”

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has sparked conversations about the future of Nigeria’s politics after questioning the recycling of familiar political figures ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a post on his official X account, Amadi asked:

“Can someone tell me what I would gain by changing Tinubu for Amaechi, Hope for Araraume, Malami for Gbaja, El-Rufai for Tinubu or Shettima? What is the point of the change? Why can we not have a different politics with the likes of Peter Obi, Adesina, Shehu Sani, Aisha etc? Why?”


According to him, merely rotating the same old leaders does not represent real change but only extends the cycle that has hindered Nigeria’s progress.

Amadi stressed that the country needs a new political direction driven by fresh voices and visionary leadership, not individuals who have already been in power without delivering transformative results.

He pointed to leaders like Peter Obi, Akinwumi Adesina, Shehu Sani, and Aisha Yesufu as examples of figures who could inject new energy and ideas into governance.

Until Nigeria breaks away from its entrenched political structures, Amadi warned, the nation may remain trapped in a cycle of disappointment.

Zamfara monarch kidnapped after deadly airstrike kills dozens of bandits.

Armed bandits have kidnapped the traditional ruler of Yankuzo, Alhaji Babangida Kogo, in Zamfara State, just hours after a deadly Nigerian Air Force (NAF) strike killed many bandits in the same area.

The monarch was reportedly abducted on Tuesday evening near the Mararraba area in Tsafe Local Government. Sources say he was trying to flee the community due to fears that surviving bandits might retaliate.

Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that a large group of armed men on more than 10 motorcycles ambushed the monarch and his escort near the abandoned farmland of the late Alhaji Malami Yandoto.

The attackers seized the royal father and left the others behind.

This incident happened shortly after the NAF’s air component under Operation Hadarin Daji carried out a precision strike on a bandit gathering in the forest between Yankuzo and Munhaye.

Intelligence had revealed that dozens of fighters, likely gathered for a wedding or celebration, were assembling in the area.

According to military sources, the strike killed many of the armed men and left others badly injured.

It is believed that the gathering involved fighters loyal to infamous bandit leaders operating along the Tsafe, Zurmi corridor, with some reportedly coming from forests in Katsina and Sokoto states.

Malabugate: Ex-AGF Adoke knocks Obasanjo, Buhari, others over alleged persecution


Source: The Nation Nigeria
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Mohammed Bello Adoke, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of causing his eight year travails over the oil deal that is now generally called Malabugate.

Adoke also listed former President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, of playing roles in his “unjust persecution.”

The Malabu oil deal scandal centres on the 2011 acquisition of OPL 245 (an oil block said to hold nine billion barrels of crude) by Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni for US $1.3 billion.

"It doesn't matter whether you're Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa or Benin, I'm Nupe, yet he appointed me"- Idris.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, dismissed the recent defection of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating that it held no political significance for either the state government or the people of Kebbi State.

According to Leadership, he maintained that the defection posed no threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or to the rising popularity of Governor Nasir Idris.

Ahmed Idris highlighted Governor Nasir Idris’s inclusive style of governance, pointing to the appointment of non-indigenes and the presence of cross-ethnic representation within his administration as evidence of his commitment to unity and fairness.

He said, “ He does not discriminate. Whether you are Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or Benin—it does not matter.

"I am Nupe from Niger State, yet he appointed me as his Chief Press Secretary. That shows his commitment to inclusive leadership.”

Release NDDC audit or I’ll resign Wike dares presidency.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to release the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), claiming it implicates former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Wike responded to corruption allegations made against him by Amaechi.

He asserted that the audit report proves that Amaechi’s wife received N4 billion monthly from the NDDC to train women in the Niger Delta.

Wike declared he would resign from his position as FCT Minister if the report, once made public, does not indict Amaechi.

“Amaechi’s wife is not an industrialist, never was,” Wike said. “Every month, her company received N4 billion from the NDDC that’s N48 billion in a year. The forensic audit captured all of this. The problem is, it was buried by the former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami.”

The former Rivers State governor repeated his call to President Tinubu.

“Please, for the sake of Nigerians, release the forensic audit report. If it doesn’t confirm what I’ve said, I will resign. I don’t cling to office.”

Wike further alleged that the audit report was deliberately suppressed to shield powerful individuals implicated in the scandal.

I did not join Bola Ahmed Tinubu
@officialABAT
in distributing heroin and cocaine in Chicago.

I did not join
@atiku
Atiku Abubakar in looting the Nigerian Customs dry.

I did not join David Mark when he stole funds meant to fix our telephones and later helped to crush our democratic hopes on June 12.

I did not join Abubakar Malami, SAN, in violating human rights and looting the treasury under Muhammadu Buhari’s watch including banning
@Twitter
.

I did not join Nasir El-Rufai
@elrufai
in massacring Shiites and fueling religious genocide in Southern Kaduna.

I did not join
@PeterObi
at the Tin Can Ports while he cleared goods for Sani Abacha when the same Abacha that was dismantling Nigeria brick by brick.

I did not join Sule Lamido and the SDP traitors who sold out MKO Abiola and the will of the Nigerian people during June 12 struggle.

I did not join
@ChibuikeRotimi1
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while he gambled away Rivers State funds and abandoned the mini-rail project already paid for.

I have never joined an armed robbery gang.

I have never pledged allegiance to any cult gang—no matter how popular, powerful, or fanciful.

I have only one allegiance: to the oppressed, the disenfranchised, the cheated, the silenced. I will join only those ready and willing to end this national nightmare created by these characters listed above!

Let it be known: I stand with a vanguard of justice. A coalition of truth. A revolutionary team to restore the dignity of the Nigerian people and Africans.

Nigeria must be free from these evil doers.

#RevolutionNow ✊🏾

The Kebbi State Government has expressed displeasure over the comments made by a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, accusing him of injecting political sentiments into sensitive security matters.