By Abiola Olawale
Mohammed Babangida, son of former Nigerian military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has publicly accepted his appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, refuting widespread reports that he had declined the role.
On July 18, 2025, Tinubu appointed Mohammed, a 53-year-old businessman with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Relations and Business Communication from the European University in Montreux, Switzerland, as part of a strategic reshuffling of federal agency leadership.
The announcement, issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, highlighted Babangida’s credentials, including his completion of Harvard Business School’s Executive Program on Corporate Governance in 2002.
However, shortly after the announcement, multiple media outlets, reported that Mohammed had declined the appointment, citing a letter dated July 21, 2025.
The letter allegedly expressed Mohammed’s gratitude but cited “personal and professional considerations” that prevented him from accepting the role, stating he could not serve with the required “focus and commitment.”
In a swift response, Mohammed issued a press statement on July 21, 2025, denying the rejection claims and labeling them as “false and malicious.”
“We wish to clarify that Muhammed gratefully accepts the appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, as announced by the federal government, and extends his sincere appreciation to President Tinubu for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him,” the statement read in part.
It further assured the public that those behind the fake reports would be identified and held accountable.
