Ayo Sotinrin Takes Over as Bank of Agriculture MD

A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the appointment is with immediate effect.

In the notice released on Friday, Mr Onanuga said the new BoA chief brings a diverse and extensive background in the private and public sectors to his new role.

He disclosed that Mr Sotinrin’s appointment aligns with the strategy of the administration of Presient Tinubu to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“Mr Sotinrin’s proven ability to mobilise capital, innovate in agribusiness, and collaborate across sectors will be instrumental in repositioning the Bank of Agriculture as a catalyst for food security, sovereignty and rural prosperity,” Mr Tinubu was quoted to have said.

While at SAO Group, an agribusiness company, the appointee’s leadership was marked by groundbreaking agricultural initiatives, including developing a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation and large-scale poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava operations in Ondo State.

He also led SAO Capital, raising over $750 million in infrastructure and development finance, including the landmark $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.

In the public sector, he served as Special Adviser on Environment and Urban Development to the Minister of State FCT from 2011 to 2015.

He had consulted extensively for global development partners such as the World Bank, AfDB, DFID, and USAID and played key advisory roles on federal and state-level projects. His international background includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.

Mr Sotinrin holds an Executive MBA from Said Business School, Oxford University; an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation; and a Master’s in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University.