Muhammed Babangida Speaks on BoA Appointment Controversy

Muhammed Babangida, son of former military president Ibrahim Babangida, has publicly confirmed that he has accepted his appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), dismissing reports that he turned down the role. In a statement released Monday, Babangida described the viral claims of a rejection as false and malicious, saying they were designed to mislead the public and undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust placed in him and made it clear that he gratefully accepted the appointment as announced by the federal government. The statement further warned that those behind the misinformation would be identified and held accountable.

Over the weekend, a letter allegedly signed by Babangida surfaced online, suggesting that he had declined the role due to personal and professional considerations. The letter was widely circulated and drew reactions from political figures, including Dele Momodu, who praised Babangida for supposedly rejecting a “Greek gift.”

However, Babangida’s camp strongly denied the authenticity of the letter. The acceptance statement, verified by his longtime spokesperson Kazeem Afegbua, urged Nigerians to rely on accurate and credible sources of information and not fall for misleading narratives.

The appointment is part of President Tinubu’s recent wave of strategic leadership changes across federal institutions. The Bank of Agriculture plays a critical role in Nigeria’s agricultural financing and rural development. Babangida reaffirmed his commitment to contributing meaningfully to the Tinubu administration’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity and national economic growth.