10 things to know about Ayo Sotirin, new Bank of Agriculture MD  

Ayo Sotirin has been appointed as the managing director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with his appointment taking effect immediately.

The engagement of Sotirin as the new MD of the Bank of Agriculture was made known in a statement issued on Friday, April 4, by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

According to him, Sotinrin brings extensive experience from both the private and public sectors, having worked with global institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), Department for International Development (DFID), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In order to recast the BOA as a catalyst for food security, sovereignty, and rural prosperity, President Tinubu also emphasized the importance of Sotinrin’s experience in capital mobilization, agribusiness innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.

Highlighted below in this article are 10 things you may not know about Sotirin, who proudly holds an executive MBA from Said Business School, Oxford University; an advanced diploma in environmental conservation; and a master’s in engineering business management from Warwick University.

1. He Has a Strong Background in Finance: Ayo Sotirin is a seasoned financial expert with decades of experience in banking, investment, and economic development.
2. He Previously Worked in Development Finance: Before his appointment, Sotirin was involved in several development finance projects, especially focused on agricultural transformation and rural empowerment.
3. He’s an advocate for agricultural modernization: Sotirin has consistently promoted the use of technology and innovation to modernize farming practices in Nigeria.
4. He Has International Exposure: He has worked with or collaborated on projects with international financial institutions, including the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB).
5. He’s a policy advisor: He has served as a policy advisor on agriculture and finance to both private institutions and public sector bodies in Nigeria.
6. Passionate About Youth Inclusion in Agribusiness: Sotirin is vocal about the need to involve Nigerian youth in the agricultural value chain through funding and skill development.
7. He Holds a Degree in Agricultural Economics: He holds a background in agricultural economics, making him uniquely suited to bridge both financial and agrarian sectors.
8. He Has Worked in the Private Sector: Sotirin has held executive roles in commercial banking and agribusiness firms, giving him a diverse industry perspective.
9. He Supports Smallholder Farmers: He’s been involved in several initiatives to empower smallholder farmers, especially women in rural areas, through micro-loans and training.
10. He’s Expected to Restructure BOA: One of his key mandates as chairman is to restructure and reposition the Bank of Agriculture to become more efficient, transparent, and impactful.