President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made significant appointments to strengthen Nigeria’s educational and developmental institutions, naming new chief executives for the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD). Additionally, the President renewed Fatima Umaru Shinkafi’s tenure as Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) under the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI).
The appointments were disclosed in a press statement by Wale Onanuga, Special Adviser on Strategy and Communication.
Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, a distinguished expert in veterinary reproduction, has been appointed as the Executive Secretary of the NUC. A visiting professor, Ribadu previously served as Vice-Chancellor of both the Federal University of Technology, Yola, and Sule Lamido University, Jigawa State.
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At the NERDC, President Tinubu appointed Prof. Salisu Shehu as Executive Secretary. Prof. Shehu, a renowned academic in educational and human psychology, played a pivotal role in establishing Bayero University Kano’s School of Continuing Education and served as the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University, Kano.
For NEPAD, Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi Tsauri has been named National Coordinator. Tsauri, who holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, brings a wealth of experience in legislative affairs, global diplomacy, and democratic governance.
The President also clarified the status of the SMDF leadership, canceling the earlier announcement of Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani’s appointment, stating that Fatima Umaru Shinkafi remains in the role. Shinkafi’s leadership continues to advance the objectives of the SMDF and PAGMI.
