President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the executive management teams for 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the appointments are aimed at strengthening the efficiency of these organizations to improve water resource management, agricultural productivity, and irrigation across the country.
The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, which covers Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states, will be led by Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun as Chairman and Engr. Dr. Adedeji Ashiru as Managing Director. Key positions include Ayo Oyalowo as Executive Director of Finance and Dokunmu Olufemi Oyekunle as Executive Director of Planning and Design.
Similarly, appointments have been made for other river basins. Alhaji Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko will chair the Upper Benue Basin in Yola, with Samuel Mahmud Mohammed serving as Managing Director.
For the Chad Basin in Maiduguri, Prof. Abdu Dauda will act as Chairman, while Tijjani Musa Tumsa assumes the role of Managing Director.
In the Benin-Owena Basin, Hon. Mike Ohio Ezomo has been named Chairman, and Femi Adekanbi will serve as Managing Director. The Lower Niger Basin in Ilorin will have Alhaji Abdullateef Alakawa as Chairman and Engr. George Olumoroti as Managing Director.
Appointments were also announced for the Niger Delta, Upper Niger, Lower Benue, Anambra-Imo, Hadejia Jama’are, Cross River, and Sokoto Rima River Basins, ensuring nationwide representation and inclusivity.
The new teams consist of chairpersons, managing directors, and executive directors responsible for finance, engineering, planning, and agricultural services.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in the appointees’ ability to use their wealth of experience to drive the performance of the River Basin Development Authorities.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to harnessing water resources for agricultural development and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.