President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ayo Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture. The appointment takes effect immediately, according to a statement from Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

Mr. Sotinrin brings years of experience from both the private and public sectors. Before this new role, he was the Group CEO at SAO Group. Under his leadership, SAO Agro developed major agricultural projects in Ondo State, including a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation and large poultry, fish farming, maize, and cassava farms.

He also led SAO Capital, helping raise over $750 million for development projects, such as the $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.

In the public sector, Sotinrin worked as a Special Adviser on Environment and Urban Development to the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory between 2011 and 2015.

He has worked with international organisations like the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), DFID, and USAID. His global experience includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.

Mr. Sotinrin studied at top schools, holding an Executive MBA from Oxford University’s Said Business School, a Master’s in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University, and a diploma in Environmental Conservation.

The statement said that his appointment supports President Tinubu’s plan to improve Nigeria’s agricultural sector. With his skills in raising funds and creating new ideas in farming, Mr. Sotinrin is expected to help the Bank of Agriculture grow and support food security, local farming, and rural development.