In a significant development, President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the appointment of Engineer Umar Abdullahi Umar as the Executive Director of Technical Services at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The appointment marks a strategic move within the agency’s leadership hierarchy.
Engineer Umar Abdullahi Umar’s background includes a familial connection to Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This appointment underscores the interconnections within Nigeria’s political landscape.
The decision to integrate Engineer Umar into the REA management team follows swiftly on the heels of President Tinubu’s decision to indefinitely suspend the agency’s former leadership, led by Ahmad Salihijo. Salhijo, who assumed the role in 2019 under the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and three directors were suspended due to alleged involvement in fraudulent transactions.
Among those suspended were Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, Executive Director of Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, Executive Director of Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore, Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF). To fill these vacancies, Tinubu appointed Aliyu Abubakar as Salihijo’s replacement and introduced three new Executive Directors to the agency.
In addition to Engineer Umar, the newly appointed directors include Ayoade Gboyega, as Executive Director of Corporate Services, and Doris Uboh, as Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF). These appointments signal a strategic restructuring within the REA to drive its mandate forward.
President Tinubu has also initiated a wider investigation into the conduct of the former REA management team, focusing on alleged fraudulent misexpenditure totaling over N1.2 billion over the past two years. Presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale has confirmed that efforts are underway to recover misappropriated funds through collaboration with anti-graft agencies.
This latest development underscores Tinubu’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective governance as Nigeria navigates its socio-political landscape. As investigations progress and new leadership assumes their roles, the public remains vigilant for further updates on the agency’s operations.
