President Bola Tinubu has named Ayo Sotinrin as the new head of the Bank of Agriculture, marking a strategic step in his administration’s push to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The announcement, released through the Presidency on Friday, noted that Sotinrin’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Sotinrin is no stranger to agricultural enterprise or development finance. With a career that spans top-level roles in agribusiness, public sector advisory, and international banking, he brings a broad set of skills to the table.
In his previous role at SAO Group, he oversaw major agricultural projects and mobilised hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure funding through SAO Capital.
He has also advised global institutions such as the World Bank and USAID, and worked in international finance with organisations including Deutsche Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Academically, he holds an Executive MBA from Oxford University and advanced qualifications in engineering business management and environmental conservation.
President Tinubu, who has placed food security at the heart of his administration’s economic strategy, said Sotinrin’s blend of experience will help reposition the Bank of Agriculture to better serve rural communities, expand access to finance for farmers, and support broader agricultural transformation.
The new appointment is expected to energise the bank’s operations, improve lending to smallholder farmers, and attract investment into the sector. Sotinrin is also likely to focus on strengthening partnerships and operational reform to make the BOA a stronger catalyst for rural prosperity and national growth.
