By Dele Ogbodo
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture. He is to hit the ground running for what he is better known for immediately…to deploy his financial wizardry into the sector for enhanced food security.
Sotinrin, brings a diverse and extensive background in the private and public sectors to his new role, the question is, will these tall credentials make any difference in the mix of hunger, limitless opportunities I the sector even though blighted by security challenges?
Before this appointment, Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesperson in a statement on Friday, said Sotinrin has held the position of Group Chief Executive Officer at SAO Group, adding that his leadership acumen 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, he added.
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.
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.
Sotinrin’s appointment aligns with the Tinubu administration’s strategy to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“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.
