The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has named Ayo Sotinrin as its new Managing Director, signalling a fresh wave of strategic leadership aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem and strengthening the nation’s food security framework.
Sotinrin brings a wealth of experience that spans agribusiness, finance, infrastructure development, and public service; an ideal blend for steering an institution critical to rural prosperity and national development.
A Career Rooted in Agribusiness and Development Finance
Prior to his appointment, Sotinrin served as Group CEO of the SAO Group, where he led diverse operations in agriculture and finance. Under his watch, SAO Agro launched several impactful initiatives, including a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation as well as major investments in poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava production across Ondo State.
At SAO Capital, the finance arm of the Group, he successfully raised over $750 million in infrastructure and development funding. Notably, this included the $200 million Akure Water Supply Project, an initiative that significantly improved water access and quality in southwestern Nigeria.
Public Sector and Global Development Experience
Sotinrin’s experience also includes a four-year stint as Special Adviser on Environment and Urban Development to the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, from 2011 to 2015. There, he contributed to policies on urban sustainability and infrastructure development within Abuja and its surrounding areas.
His work with development institutions further shows his deep ties to global policy and implementation frameworks. He has consulted for organisations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His advisory contributions have supported a wide array of federal and state-level projects, from sustainable infrastructure to agricultural innovation.
A Global Outlook with Local Impact
With experience at top-tier international institutions like the Royal Bank of Scotland International and Deutsche Bank, as well as the UK Environment Agency, Sotinrin brings a global perspective to his new role at the BOA. His cross-sector exposure positions him uniquely to connect Nigeria’s agricultural ambitions with international best practices and investment opportunities.
Educational Foundation
Sotinrin’s academic achievements are equally impressive. He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, a Master’s degree in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick, and an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation. These qualifications reflect a multidisciplinary approach critical to tackling the complex challenges facing agriculture in Nigeria.
A Strategic Appointment for a Critical Time
Sotinrin’s appointment comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to boost local food production, attract agribusiness investment, and build resilient rural economies. With his proven ability to mobilise capital, innovate in agribusiness, and navigate public-private partnerships, he is expected to reposition the Bank of Agriculture as a core engine of Nigeria’s development.
In a time when access to finance, land, and infrastructure is key to scaling agricultural value chains, Sotinrin’s leadership may help unlock new opportunities for farmers, agripreneurs, and investors alike.
