APC chieftain urges Tinubu to sack BOA MD over alleged sabotage, poor performance
By Mohammed Ismail
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and National President of Okra Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mallam Uba Dan’arewa, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relieve the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, of his appointment, alleging gross incompetence, dereliction of duty and failure to implement the Federal Government’s agricultural policies.
Dan’arewa who is a core supporter of president Tinubu argues that the BOA’s alleged inability to effectively support farmers was undermining President Tinubu’s agricultural reform agenda and slowing efforts to boost food production across the country.
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According to him, although the Tinubu administration has introduced far-reaching reforms aimed at revitalising agriculture, the expected impact cannot be achieved without adequate financing and institutional support from the Bank of Agriculture.
He expressed concern that the bank’s performance under Sotinrin was creating the impression, particularly in Northern Nigeria, that the Federal Government was neglecting the region, which remains the country’s largest agricultural hub.
“The poor performance of the Bank of Agriculture is being wrongly interpreted by many people in the North as a deliberate policy of President Tinubu’s administration to undermine agricultural development in the region,” Dan’arewa said.
He, however, maintained that the alleged shortcomings were not a reflection of the President’s commitment but were instead attributable to the bank’s leadership.
Dan’arewa commended President Tinubu’s agricultural blueprint as well as the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other government agencies working to transform the sector.
He nevertheless alleged that the BOA had failed to align with the administration’s vision by not implementing key directives designed to improve farmers’ access to finance and stimulate agricultural productivity.
The APC chieftain referenced an agricultural summit held at the Presidential Villa recently where, according to him, the BOA Managing Director outlined several presidential directives intended to strengthen the sector.
He specifically alleged that President Tinubu had directed the bank to commence the purchase of one tonne of maize at ₦350,000 as part of efforts to support farmers and encourage increased production. Dan’arewa claimed that the directive had not been effectively implemented.
“During the summit, the Managing Director disclosed that Mr. President had directed the Bank of Agriculture to purchase one tonne of maize at ₦350,000 to empower farmers and boost production. Unfortunately, that directive has not been faithfully implemented,” he alleged.
He warned that continued delays in executing government policies could erode public confidence in the administration’s agricultural agenda.
“As it stands, many people in the North believe the agricultural sector is being neglected by the Federal Government. But the truth is that the ministry of agriculture and other agencies and parastatals are doing well but their productivity will never be enough in the face of death of financing and other viable incentives. That is why we are calling on President Tinubu to appoint new leadership for the Bank of Agriculture,” Dan’arewa said.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen the operations of the Bank of Agriculture to ensure farmers have timely access to affordable financing, describing agricultural credit as critical towards achieving food security and economic diversification.
