President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ayo Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture.
His appointment announced in a statement shared by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategt, Bayo Onanuga via X.com on Thursday takes effect immediately.
Onanuga stated that the appointment is part of the administration’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Sotinrin brings a wealth of experience from both the private and public sectors.
Before this appointment, he served as the Group Chief Executive Officer of SAO Group, where he spearheaded significant agricultural initiatives.
Under his leadership, SAO Agro developed a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation, as well as large-scale poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava operations in Ondo State.
Beyond agriculture, he also led SAO Capital, securing over $750 million in infrastructure and development finance, including the landmark $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.
In the public sector, Sotinrin previously served as Special Adviser on Environment and Urban Development to the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory between 2011 and 2015.
He has also worked as a consultant for global organizations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), DFID, and USAID.
His international experience includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.
He holds an Executive MBA from Said Business School, Oxford University, a Master’s in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University, and an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Sotinrin’s ability to transform the Bank of Agriculture, stating, “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.”
His appointment comes at a crucial time as the government intensifies efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and enhance food production across the country.
