Pius Nsabe
Muhammed Babangida, son of former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has officially accepted his appointment as chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), dismissing widespread reports that he had rejected the role as “false and malicious.”
In a statement released on Monday, Babangida expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with such a strategic position, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.
“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 clarification follows a wave of viral reports alleging that Babangida declined the appointment, citing personal and professional reasons. He strongly refuted the claims, describing them as a calculated attempt to mislead the public and undermine the Tinubu administration.
“These reports are false and malicious. They are a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and tarnish the image of the President’s administration,” the statement added.
Babangida’s media team also vowed to hold those behind the misinformation accountable, assuring that investigations would be launched to trace the source of the false reports.
“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,” the team stated.
The statement urged Nigerians to rely on credible sources for information to avoid falling victim to misinformation.
“We call on all citizens to remain discerning and to verify information from credible sources to prevent the spread of misinformation,” it concluded.
Babangida’s acceptance comes as the federal government intensifies its efforts to diversify the economy through agriculture, with the BOA positioned as a key driver of rural development and agribusiness support.