Godsent Ogbebor – Abuja Correspondent
Journalist Awakan Named DG NTDC as Tinubu Reshuffles Agency Leadership
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of three new heads of federal agencies, with journalist Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan named as Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).
Awakan, who until his appointment worked as a reporter with Television Continental (TVC), will serve an initial four-year term beginning September 2, 2025.
His elevation from the newsroom to head of a major federal agency signals the administration’s bid to bring new energy and perspectives into the tourism sector.
However, the NTDC is charged with promoting Nigeria as a preferred tourist destination and coordinating tourism development across the country.
In the biosafety sector, Tinubu approved the appointment of Bello Bawa Bwari from Niger State as Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
His appointment, which took effect from September 18, 2025, will run for four years in line with the provisions of Section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.
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Meanwhile, the NBMA regulates modern biotechnology, biosafety permits, and genetic modification activities to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
Also appointed is Hon. Barrister Aminu Junaidu from Zamfara State as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) for a five-year term, also effective September 18, 2025.
Junaidu, a legal practitioner and former legislator, will lead the tribunal that handles disputes within Nigeria’s capital market. The IST plays a vital role in protecting investors and maintaining confidence in the financial system.
According to the Presidency, the appointments reflect Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening public institutions and ensuring they deliver on their mandates.
The President urged the appointees to bring professionalism and dedication to their work, stressing that the agencies under their care are crucial to economic diversification, environmental safety, and capital market stability.
The development comes as part of a broader wave of leadership changes under Tinubu’s administration, which has recently seen the appointment of new agency chiefs across sectors such as aviation, education, and energy.
By infusing new leadership into strategic agencies, the government hopes to achieve faster reforms and greater accountability in governance.
Observers note that tourism remains an untapped driver of growth in Nigeria, with the NTDC expected to spearhead initiatives that can attract investment and expand revenue beyond oil.
Similarly, with increasing global attention on food security and biotechnology, the NBMA’s role in safeguarding the environment has gained fresh importance.
In the same vein, the IST is regarded as a key stabilizer for the financial market, which requires efficient dispute resolution to encourage investment. However, the new appointees are expected to resume duties immediately.
