Muhammed Babangida, son of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has officially accepted his appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), putting an end to widespread speculation and disinformation suggesting otherwise.
On July 18, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced Babangida’s appointment as head of the restructured Bank of Agriculture, alongside eight other leadership picks for various federal institutions. The appointments were seen as part of a larger government initiative aimed at revitalizing strategic agencies critical to Nigeria’s economic growth, especially in agriculture and rural development.
However, shortly after the announcement, a viral statement began circulating online, allegedly quoting Babangida as rejecting the offer. The document, dated July 21 and seen by several news outlets, claimed that Babangida had declined the appointment “after careful reflection and consultation,” citing “a convergence of personal and professional considerations” that would limit his ability to fully commit to the role.
The statement caused confusion, leading to sharp public reactions and political commentary questioning the stability and internal communication within the federal administration.
In response to the growing speculation, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, issued a rebuttal on Monday, stating unequivocally that Babangida never rejected the appointment.
“Muhammed gratefully accepts the appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, as announced by the federal government,” Olusegun stated.
“He extends his sincere appreciation to President Tinubu for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him.”
Olusegun further condemned the circulated statement as “false, malicious, and designed to incite public distrust,” while assuring Nigerians that those responsible for spreading the fabricated document would be identified and prosecuted.
“Those behind these falsehoods will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice,” the presidency stated.
“We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and fostering unity within our nation.”
The Presidency also urged the public to rely on credible sources and remain vigilant against online disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing governance efforts.
Muhammed Babangida, 53, is a seasoned businessman with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Relations and Business Communication from the European University in Montreux, Switzerland. His new role is expected to involve steering the BOA towards deeper financial inclusion for rural farmers and improved access to agricultural funding.
This recent wave of federal appointments also included heads of agencies in education, energy, peacebuilding, and regional development — a move the presidency described as a push to reinforce leadership across institutions essential to the implementation of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
