Former Leader of the Senate and lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his recent appointments into the boards of key federal agencies, describing them as timely and responsive to the concerns of Northern Nigeria.
In a statement issued Saturday in Abuja, Ndume said the appointments demonstrate the president’s willingness to address regional agitations and promote inclusion.
Among those appointed are Lydia Musa as Chairperson of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority; Jamilu Aliyu as Chairman of the National Educational Research and Development Council; and Yahuza Inuwa as Chairman of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.
Others include Sanusi Musa (SAN) as Chairman of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Muhammad Babangida — son of former military president Ibrahim Babangida — as Chairman of the restructured Bank of Agriculture.
Additional appointments include Prof. Al-Mustapha Aliyu as Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa; Sanusi Rikiji as Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations; and Abdulmumini Aminu-Zaria as Executive Director of the Integrated Water Resources Management Commission.
A regional breakdown of the appointments shows Kano and Kaduna states receiving three and two slots respectively, while Sokoto and Zamfara secured one each. Niger State in the North Central produced Muhammad Babangida, while Oyo State in the South West produced Tomi Somefun, appointed Managing General of the National Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission.
Ndume noted that the latest appointments, along with previous ones in May that favored Northern candidates, reflect Tinubu’s responsiveness to legitimate concerns.
“These appointments and the earlier ones in May where he gave 12 key agencies to competent individuals from the North are reassuring,” Ndume said. “They show he’s a leader who listens and responds to genuine agitations.”
He added that such moves would help ease tensions and counter narratives suggesting marginalization of the North, a region that strongly supported Tinubu in the last general elections.
Ndume, however, urged the president to extend similar consideration to the South-East in future appointments to promote national unity, balance, and equity.
