President Tinubu Reshuffles Trade Sector with Key Appointments
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made significant appointments in Nigeria's trade sector, naming Dalhatu Abubakar as the new chairman of the Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) and Patience Okala as the national coordinator of Nigeria's African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office. These appointments come amidst recent resignations within the administration and are part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria's commodity trading ecosystem and drive non-oil export growth.
New Leadership for Nigeria Commodity Exchange
The presidency announced on Thursday, April 2, 2026, that Dalhatu Abubakar will lead the NCX as chairman, with six other individuals appointed to the governing board. The appointments take immediate effect and are designed to enhance price discovery, improve market transparency, and expand Nigeria's non-oil exports. According to an official statement from the presidency, "The appointments are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria's commodity trading ecosystem, enhance price discovery, improve market transparency, and drive the expansion of non-oil exports."
The newly approved NCX board members include:
- Najah Muhammed (non-executive director)
- Bamidele Hussein (non-executive director)
- Mezuo Nwuneli (non-executive director)
- Obi Igwe (non-executive director)
- Foluso Ayo-Olaiya (non-executive director)
- Anthony Atuche (managing director)
The reconstituted board is expected to provide strategic oversight to fully operationalize the exchange, strengthen accountability, and attract investment into critical areas such as warehousing, logistics, and trade infrastructure.
Profile of Dalhatu Abubakar
Dalhatu Abubakar, the new NCX chairman, brings extensive experience from the private sector. He currently serves as the head of Al-Hamsad Integrated Rice Mills and holds the position of president at the Conference of Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA). Originally from Kano State, Abubakar previously served as president of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), demonstrating his deep roots in Nigeria's commercial landscape.
Patience Okala Appointed AfCFTA Coordinator
In a parallel move, President Tinubu has appointed Patience Okala as the national coordinator of Nigeria's AfCFTA Coordination Office. This appointment also takes immediate effect and positions Okala to lead Nigeria's implementation of the continental trade agreement. The presidency described Okala as "a seasoned trade and investment expert" with extensive experience in international negotiations and economic policy.
Before this appointment, Okala served as a director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), where she spearheaded Nigeria's involvement in bilateral investment talks across various international forums including ICSID, UNCITRAL, AfCFTA, UNCTAD, IISD, and the OECD. She previously contributed her expertise as an adviser to the AfCFTA secretariat in Accra in 2023 and as a special adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
During her tenure as special adviser, Okala played a crucial role in strengthening Nigeria's AfCFTA framework, overseeing the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee, and helping Nigeria become a Co-Champion of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade. In her new role, she will focus on implementing the AfCFTA Agreement domestically, shaping Nigeria's strategic approach within the continental trade landscape, and coordinating national stakeholders in trade and investment.
Other Recent Appointments
These trade sector appointments follow other recent personnel changes within the Tinubu administration. President Tinubu recently appointed Professor Shu'aibu Aliyu as the new Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), replacing Ahmed Galadima Aminu who resigned to participate in the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa State.
Additionally, Engineer Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz has been retained as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). President Tinubu emphasized his commitment to advancing Nigeria's energy sector and addressing national priorities through these appointments.
The presidency stated that these strategic appointments reflect the administration's dedication to strengthening key economic institutions and driving Nigeria's trade and investment agenda forward. The reconstituted NCX board and new AfCFTA leadership are expected to play pivotal roles in enhancing Nigeria's position in regional and global trade markets while diversifying the economy away from oil dependence.
