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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has unveiled a new leadership team that will reposition its secretariat as a modern policy and coordination hub for Nigeria’s 36 state governors. The move follows a comprehensive organisational review by Deloitte, commissioned to strengthen the secretariat’s systems, operations and governance framework, in line with international best practices.
In a statement by NGF’s director of media and strategic communications, Yunusa Tanko, at the centre of the restructuring is Abdulateef Shittu, who has been named Director General. Widely credited with steering the NGF through one of its most ambitious reform phases, Shittu is tasked with further enhancing interstate collaboration, forging strategic partnerships and consolidating the secretariat’s role as a trusted resource and policy innovation centre.
The Forum also announced several senior appointments across its directorates. Edmund Nnaji assumes the role of Executive Director for Finance and Administration, bringing legal and financial expertise from advising both government and private entities on complex transactions.
Dauda Yinusa, a Fulbright Scholar and former Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget, and Development, has been appointed Executive Director for Policy, Strategy and Research, where he will lead economic and policy reforms.
The newly created Directorate of Programmes and Partnerships will be headed by Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab, a physician and public health specialist, previously serving as the Secretariat’s Health Advisor. He is expected to leverage his international experience in health systems reform to strengthen collaboration and deliver measurable impact.
In addition, the Forum appointed Chijioke Chuku as General Counsel and Head of Energy, with responsibility for overseeing legal and governance processes within the institution. Hauwa Haliru-Hassan has been elevated to Director of Gender Affairs, while retaining her role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum. She will spearhead efforts to mainstream gender priorities across state policies.
Ibrahim Katsina, an experienced security and counterterrorism advisor, will serve as Senior Security Adviser, while seasoned journalist and former presidential communication aide, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi has been named Director of Media and Strategic Communication.
According to the Forum, these appointments form part of a deliberate effort to create a high-performing, multidisciplinary leadership team capable of addressing Nigeria’s complex governance challenges. They are also expected to strengthen policy coordination, enhance cross-sectoral partnerships and improve the Secretariat’s responsiveness to member states and development partners.
The NGF emphasised that the reforms signal a deliberate shift towards a more agile and results-driven institution committed to promoting good governance, sustainable development and national unity.
