“As representatives of the federation, you are required to continue to drive the performance of the Authority to deliver benefits to all Nigerians.”
That was President Muhammadu Buhari addressing the third board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) as he inaugurated it on Wednesday (September 1) in Aso Villa, Abuja.
Members of the new nine-person board include:
Farouk Mohammed Gumel (North-West), non-executive chairman
Babatunde Sobamowo (South-West), non-executive director
Isiekwena Ikemefuna Louis (South-South), non-executive director
Ali Goni Kadugum (North-East), non-executive director
Oniyangi Kabir Sulaiman (North-Central), non-executive director
Ike Chioke (South-East), non-executive director
On the occasion [pictured], President Buhari urged the new board of the NSIA to make more investments that support economic diversification, as global oil prices are projected to drop to around $40 per barrel by 2030. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing long-term projects and programmes that create jobs for Nigerians.
The full impact of most of the strategic projects started on his watch, he said, would only be felt long after he had left office.
Describing the appointment of the board as a call to duty, action and performance, the president said the members were eminently qualified for the job. He said: “This government operates on the agenda for long-term change which we all agree is inevitable. Change happens whether you are ready for it or not. As representatives of the federation, you are required to continue to drive the performance of the Authority to deliver benefits to all Nigerians.
‘‘You must bear in mind that the National Economic Council, your Governing Council and Nigerians as a whole will hold you accountable for this mandate. Periodically, you will be required to provide evidence of your stewardship at the Governing Council meetings where your performance will be assessed.
‘‘The bar before you is very high and all of us are counting on you to deliver. If you do, I assure you that government and indeed all Nigerians will be unflinching in their support for you.’’
The president reminded them that NSIA, one of Nigeria’s premier economic institutions, was conceived to be a store of wealth which may be drawn upon at times of economic challenges, thereby encouraging external investors and lenders.
He expressed delight that so far the institution has discharged its mandate dutifully, adding: “This is why we prioritized the appointment of a new board to ensure that the Authority does not lose steam and can continue to benefit from the oversight it needs to deliver on its mandate.
“The new board we assembled has a crop of seasoned, eminently qualified, and experienced professionals. We expect these individuals to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the next phase of NSIA’s journey.”
President Buhari also thanked the last board of directors which tenure ended in May 2021. Acknowledging their commitment, dedication and contributions to the implementation of the objectives of the Authority, he stated: “This distinguished group of patriotic Nigerians heeded the call to serve and deployed the best of their abilities to oversee the affairs of the Authority on behalf of the nation over the last four years.” The immediate past board, he said, “guided the organisation through a critical stage of its existence and have left it standing as a credible world-class institution that turns out consistently good results.”
“This administration took the very difficult decision to invest for the long term. We avoided taking short cuts knowing very well that the full impact of most of the projects we started will only be felt long after we have left office.
“Accordingly, in the past four years, both the public and private sectors in Nigeria have partnered on strategic projects with the NSIA.
‘‘On the public sector partnership, we are working with the NSIA on strategic infrastructure projects such as the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos–Ibadan expressway and the Abuja–Kano road, to mention a few.
‘‘On the private sector collaborations, we have projects such as the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative and the NSIA Healthcare Development and Investment Company, amongst many.
‘‘Although these projects and programmes have immediately created jobs from a development standpoint, the wider impact on society will only be felt in years to come,’’ he said.
In her remarks, the minister of finance, budget and national planning, Zainab Ahmed, said from the base position of US$1billion when the administration assumed office in 2015, NSIA now has around US$3.5billion in assets under management.
She explained that the board will, on behalf of the Nigerian people, guide and oversee the NSIA management’s activities towards delivering outcomes to transform the fortunes of the country.
“Using the NSIA Act as its guide, the board will be required to superintend initiatives that meet the current and future needs of Nigerians,” she said. “On our part as government, we will continue to support the Authority with the necessary policies and framework to ensure that the mission of the institution is delivered in a transparent, sustainable and inclusive manner.”
The managing director/CEO of NSIA, Uche Orji, had, in May this year, announced the results of the Authority’s audited account for the 2020 financial year. In a report boasting mainly positives in spite of the disruptions of Covid-19, NSIA showed a strong performance in each of its three mandate funds.
