In a strategic move aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ayo Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), effective immediately.
The appointment was officially announced on Friday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Sotinrin, a seasoned finance and agribusiness expert, brings a wealth of experience spanning both the private and public sectors. Before his appointment, he served as the Group Chief Executive Officer at SAO Group, where he spearheaded groundbreaking agricultural projects, including the development of a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation and large-scale poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava operations in Ondo State.
His extensive background in development finance further sets him apart. As the head of SAO Capital, he successfully facilitated the raising of over $750 million in infrastructure and development funding, including the landmark $200 million Akure Water Supply Project. His expertise covers strategic financial planning and investment mobilization across critical sectors.
Sotinrin has also made significant contributions in the public sector. From 2011 to 2015, he served as Special Adviser on Environment and Urban Development to the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory. Additionally, he has worked as a consultant for international development agencies such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Department for International Development, and the United States Agency for International Development. His banking experience includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.
His academic credentials further bolster his qualifications. He holds an Executive MBA from Saïd Business School, Oxford University, an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation, and a Master’s degree in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University.
