President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ayo Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, with immediate effect.
A statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Friday highlighted Sotinrin’s extensive experience in both the private and public sectors.
Before his appointment, he served as Group CEO of SAO Group, where he spearheaded major agricultural projects, including a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation and large-scale poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava farming in Ondo State. He also led SAO Capital, raising over $750 million for infrastructure, including the $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.
Sotinrin previously served as Special Adviser (Environment & Urban Development) to the Minister of State for the FCT (2011–2015) and has consulted for global organizations such as the World Bank, AfDB, DFID, and USAID. His international experience includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.
He holds an Executive MBA from Oxford University’s Said Business School, a Master’s in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University, and an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation.
President Tinubu emphasized that Sotinrin’s expertise in capital mobilization and agribusiness innovation will help reposition the Bank of Agriculture as a key driver of food security and rural development in Nigeria.