THE Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that Muhammed Babangida, son of former military leader Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), turned down his recent appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The claim was fueled by a letter shared online by media personality Dele Momodu, which appeared to show Muhammed declining the role due to “personal and professional reasons.”
However, Presidential aide Olusegun Dada took to social media platform X to refute the report, confirming that Muhammed had officially accepted the appointment and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity.
“Muhammed Babangida has formally accepted the position as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture and thanked President Tinubu for the trust placed in him,” Dada stated.
According to a statement released today, Muhammed described the circulating reports as “false and malicious,” aimed at misleading the public and discrediting the Tinubu administration.
The Presidency further assured Nigerians that those responsible for spreading the misinformation will be identified and prosecuted.
“We remain committed to transparency and accountability. The public is urged to verify information from credible sources,” the statement added.
Despite the official statement, a letter dated July 21, 2025—allegedly written by Muhammed—was published by Dele Momodu. In it, Muhammed appeared to respectfully decline the appointment, citing an inability to fully commit to the demands of the position at this time.
“It is a true privilege to be considered for this role. However, after careful reflection, I must respectfully decline due to a mix of personal and professional commitments,” the letter read.
Reacting to the development on Instagram, Momodu, who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), praised Muhammed’s decision, calling the appointment a “Greek gift.”
Muhammed’s appointment was among several recently approved by President Tinubu, which have sparked mixed reactions. The ADC accused the President of using strategic appointments to court support in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.