Amid swirling controversy and conflicting reports, the Presidency has confirmed that Muhammed Babangida, son of former military Head of State Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has accepted his recent appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This assurance comes after a letter circulated online suggested that Babangida had declined the appointment. The letter, dated July 21, 2025, and shared by media personality and Ovation Magazine publisher Dele Momodu, claimed that Babangida turned down the role citing “personal and professional considerations.” In the letter titled “Declining Appointment as Chairman, Bank of Agriculture”, Babangida expressed gratitude for the honor but said he would not be able to serve with the focus the role demands.
However, in a swift rebuttal, presidential aide Olusegun Dada dismissed the letter as fake and “malicious,” stating that Muhammed Babangida had not only accepted the appointment but was also thankful for the confidence placed in him by the President.
“Muhammed Babangida has officially accepted his appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), expressing deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust reposed in him,” Dada posted on X (formerly Twitter). He added that the letter in circulation was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine the administration’s credibility.
The Presidency has vowed to identify and hold accountable those behind the spread of the alleged fake letter, stressing its commitment to transparency and national unity. “We also want to assure the public that those spreading these falsehoods will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice,” Dada said.
The incident has stirred political undertones. Dele Momodu, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), praised the purported rejection, calling it a “Greek gift.” Meanwhile, the ADC accused President Tinubu of attempting to curry favor in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections by handing out strategic appointments.
Muhammed Babangida’s appointment was part of a batch of new leadership roles announced by the federal government, aimed at strengthening key institutions across various sectors.
As of now, the situation remains tense, with questions lingering over the authenticity of the rejection letter and the political motives behind its circulation.
