Jobs/Appointments
UBA’s Yomi-Ajayi Joins US EXIM Advisory Committee
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc branch in the United States, Ms Sola Yomi-Ajayi, has been appointed to the Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) for 2020/2021.
The Nigerian is the sole representative of an African institution in the team and UBA has described this as a laudable achievement, being the only Sub-Saharan African deposit-taking institution regulated in the United States.
The lender provides a unique portfolio of banking solutions to corporates, governments, multilaterals, and development organizations transacting with Africa.
Established by the US congress, the Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee provides guidance and advice regarding US EXIM policies and programs designed to support the expansion of financing for US manufactured goods and services in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Speaking on the appointment, the Chairman of UBA, Mr Tony Elumelu, stated that the appointment is a recognition of the role UBA has played over decades in promoting, and supporting large and small businesses in all its 20 countries of operations in Africa.
“The appointment of Sola, as a member of the US EXIM Advisory Committee for Sub-Saharan Africa is welcomed news. UBA’s global network of offices in New York, London, and Paris permits us to be the preferred financial intermediary between Africa and the rest of the world. Our mission at UBA is fully aligned with the objectives of the US EXIM,” he said.
The US EXIM President and Chairman, Ms Kimberly Reed, in a congratulatory address to Ms Yomi-Ajayi and the other appointees said, “With six of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world and more than one billion consumers, Africa is poised to play a pivotal role in the global economy.
“Supporting US exports to sub-Saharan Africa is one of our top priorities at EXIM, and my deepest congratulations goes to the new members of the EXIM Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee.”
Other members of the team are Daniel Runde, who chairs the committee; C. Derek Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Energy and Natural Resource Security, Inc; Scott Eisner, Senior Vice President, African Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Rebecca Enonchong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer AppsTech.
Others are Lori Helmers, Executive Director/Americas Export Finance Head, JPMorgan Chase Bank; Florizelle Liser, President and Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Council on Africa; Mima Nedelcovych, Chairman, AfricaGlobal Schaffer; EE Okpa, Principal, The OKPA Co; Marise Duff Stewart, Director Customer and Industry Relations, Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Company; and Paul Sullivan, President – International Business, Acrow Bridge.
EXIM is an independent federal agency that promotes and supports American jobs, by providing competitive and necessary export credit to support sales of U.S. goods and services to international buyers.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has named Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, the latest in the cabinet reshufflement.
Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu replaces Mr Yusuf Tuggar, who recently resigned to pursue the Bauchi governorship election ambition in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Sola Enikanolaiye has been appointed as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the position previously occupied by Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
In a statement on Wednesday night, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that until his nomination, Mr Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, served as senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
He is a career diplomat with over three decades of service in Nigeria’s foreign service.
He has previously served as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held diplomatic postings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi.
President Tinubu said the appointments are part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture, improve efficiency and deepen global engagement.
He urged the appointees to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, strengthen regional stability and ensure the welfare of Nigerians abroad.
“The President noted that these appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships,” the statement read.
Recent ministerial changes under President Tinubu reflect a cautious but deliberate attempt to recalibrate governance and strengthen economic management. In a minor cabinet reshuffle approved in April 2026, key portfolios were affected, most notably the removal of Finance Minister, Mr Wale Edun; and the Housing Minister, Mr Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
Their exits paved the way for new appointments, including the elevation of Mr Taiwo Oyedele to oversee the critical finance ministry, a move widely interpreted as an effort to inject fresh direction into the country’s economic policy framework.
Beyond the cabinet reshuffle, the administration has also undertaken broader leadership adjustments across strategic sectors, particularly in energy and regulation, signalling a pattern of continuous review within government ranks, including the replacement of Mr Saidu Mohammed with Mr Rabiu Umar as the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), replacing Mr Saidu Mohammed.
This decision follows ongoing efforts to restructure the regulatory framework of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream oil sector.
The appointment was announced by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, with the nomination subject to Senate confirmation.
The NMDPRA is responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of petroleum operations, including gas processing, transportation, and retail.
Mr Abdullahi, until his appointment, was the Group Sales and Marketing Director at Dangote Cement, part of the Dangote Group, which has interests in food, cement, energy, and other ventures.
He started his career in Oando Plc and rapidly rose to hold different management roles within the marketing business, and led the Sales and Marketing Transformation plan successfully.
In 2014, he moved to Lafarge Africa as the Energy and Power Director and subsequently managed the Strategy and Business Development portfolio for West Africa, where he led the development and execution of critical projects within Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. In 2016, he became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ashaka Cement Plc and spearheaded the turnaround of the business until his departure in 2019 to join Dangote Industries Ltd as Group Chief Commercial Officer.
A graduate of Accounting from Bayero University, Kano and an Alumnus of Harvard Business School. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors.
According to the Presidency, Mr Abdullahi’s appointment was made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Pending Senate confirmation of the new nominee, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity.
“President Tinubu thanks the outgoing Authority Chief Executive for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.
“The President remains committed to ensuring capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth,” the statement added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The former Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Lamido Yuguda, has been confirmed as a deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The nomination of the capital market expert was confirmed on Wednesday by the Senate after undergoing screening.
At the plenary today, presided over by the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Mr Adetokunbo Abiru, submitted a report on Mr Yuguda’s screening to his colleagues, saying he is capable of occupying the position.
Also screened by the upper chamber of the National Assembly was another nominee of President Bola Tinubu, Mrs Peggy Ufanima Onwu, who is to serve as an independent director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
Mr Abiru, whose report was seconded by Mr Wasil Sani, told the parliament that during the screening exercise, the ex-SEC chief demonstrated strong knowledge of monetary policy, financial regulation, and institutional governance.
After deliberations on the matter, the Senate confirmed Mr Yuguda as a deputy governor of the central bank and Mrs Onwu as an independent director of the NDIC.
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