President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Executive Management of 12 River Basin Development Authorities under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
This development was announced in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The reconstitution aims to enhance the effectiveness of the authorities in addressing water resource management, agricultural development, and regional planning across Nigeria.
The appointments include chairpersons, managing directors, and executive directors for various departments such as finance, engineering, agriculture services, and planning and design. Below is a breakdown of the appointees for three of the authorities:
Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Abeokuta (Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun)
- Chairman: Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun (Oyo)
- Managing Director: Engr. Dr. Adedeji Ashiru (Osun)
- Executive Director, Finance: Ayo Oyalowo (Oyo)
- Executive Director, Planning and Design: Dokunmu Olufemi Oyekunle (Ogun)
- Executive Director, Agric Services: Suleiman Oris (Lagos)
- Executive Director, Engineering: Engr. Julius Oloro (Lagos)
Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Yola (Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi)
- Chairman: Alh. Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko (Bauchi)
- Managing Director: Samuel Mahmud Mohammed (Taraba)
- Executive Director, Engineering: Hon. Usman Babandubu Bakare (Taraba)
- Executive Director, Finance: Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo (Gombe)
- Executive Director, Planning and Design: Hon. Isa Matori (Bauchi)
- Executive Director, Agric Services: Hamman Dikko (Adamawa)
Chad Basin Development Authority, Maiduguri (Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa)
- Chairman: Prof. Abdu Dauda (Borno)
- Managing Director: Tijjani Musa Tumsa (Yobe)
- Executive Director, Finance: Barr. Bashir Baale (Yobe)
- Executive Director, Agric Services: Iliyasu Muazu (Adamawa)
- Executive Director, Engineering: Engr. Mohammed Shetima (Borno)
- Executive Director, Planning and Design: Vrati Nzonzo (Borno)
The reconstitution is part of the Federal Government’s commitment to revamp the River Basin Development Authorities for improved service delivery in the areas of irrigation, water supply, and food production.
The remaining nine River Basin Development Authorities are expected to have similar updates to their leadership in due course. This move has been praised by stakeholders who view it as a step toward ensuring better management of Nigeria’s water resources and promoting agricultural sustainability.
