Muhammed Babangida, son of former Nigerian military president Ibrahim Babangida, has publicly affirmed his acceptance of the appointment as Chair of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), distancing himself from viral reports suggesting he declined the offer.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mr. Babangida described as “false and malicious” the social media reports claiming he rejected the appointment made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said the claims were part of a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine the credibility of the current administration.
“We wish to clarify that Muhammed gratefully accepts the appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture, as announced by the federal government, and extends his sincere appreciation to President Tinubu for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him,” the statement read.
The statement indicating Mr. Babangida’s acceptance of the role was authenticated for Premium Times by Kazeem Afegbua, a long-standing spokesperson for former President Ibrahim Babangida.
The statement further warned that those responsible for circulating the fake news and the forged rejection letter would be investigated and held accountable.
“We also want to assure the public that those spreading these falsehoods will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and fostering unity within our nation,” it added.
Mr. Babangida also urged Nigerians to be cautious of unverified reports and to rely on credible and official sources for information.
His appointment is part of a broader wave of leadership changes introduced by President Tinubu to rejuvenate key federal agencies and institutions.
The Bank of Agriculture plays a pivotal role in supporting Nigeria’s agricultural financing and rural development efforts. The false reports had gained traction over the weekend, accompanied by a fabricated rejection letter allegedly addressed to the president, citing “personal and professional considerations.”
Monday’s statement from Mr. Babangida’s team has now laid the matter to rest, reaffirming his readiness to contribute meaningfully to the government’s agricultural and economic development agenda.
