President Bola Tinubu has appointed Chief Executive Officers for several key establishments in Nigeria, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI), and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD).
The appointments were announced in a statement released on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. The appointees were chosen based on their extensive experience and track records, with the President expressing confidence in their ability to drive progress in their respective institutions.
For the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, a visiting professor and expert in veterinary reproduction, was named as the Executive Secretary. Ribadu has previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, and Sule Lamido University, Jigawa State.
Prof. Salisu Shehu, a distinguished academic in educational and human psychology, was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the NERDC. Shehu played a key role in establishing the School of Continuing Education at Bayero University, Kano, and served as the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University, Kano.
Jabiru Abdullahi Tsauri was named the National Coordinator of NEPAD. Tsauri holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University and has extensive experience in legislative and global affairs, democratic governance, and public service.
For the SMDF/PAGMI, Yazid Danfulani was appointed as Executive Secretary. Danfulani, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Arts and Management from the University of Hertfordshire, UK, has a background in banking, computing, and business administration. He has previously worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and served as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Zamfara State.
According to Onanuga, the appointments reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring effective leadership and achieving positive outcomes across critical sectors of governance and development.
