NGF appoints new leadership team to strengthen governance, boost policy coordination, and drive reforms across Nigeria’s states.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has announced a series of new leadership appointments aimed at boosting its operational capacity and aligning its activities with global best practices.
In a statement released on Sunday night by its new Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, the forum explained that the appointments followed a thorough review of its systems, human resources, and operational processes. The goal, according to the NGF, is to enhance efficiency, improve policy coordination, and deliver stronger program outcomes for member states.
Key Appointments
Dr. Abdulateef Shittu has been confirmed as the new Director General of the NGF.
Mr. Edmund Nnaji was named Executive Director, Finance & Administration.
Prof. Dauda Olalekan Yinusa, a distinguished economist and professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, now serves as Executive Director, Policy, Strategy & Research.
Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab, who previously served as Executive Director, Health Advisor, has been elevated to Executive Director, Programs & Partnerships. With vast experience in academia, governance, and development programs, Dr. Abdulwahab played a key role in fiscal reforms and coordinated major World Bank–backed projects, including NG-CARES and SFTAS.
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Other notable appointments include:
Barr. Chuku Chijioke Chuku – General Counsel & Head, Energy, bringing over 20 years of experience in law, governance, and institutional reforms.
Mrs. Hauwa Haliru-Hassan – Director, Gender Affairs & CEO of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF).
Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina – Senior Security Adviser, leveraging his expertise in security strategy and conflict resolution.
The NGF also confirmed the appointment of Yunusa Abdullahi as its Director of Media & Strategic Communications. Abdullahi is a seasoned journalist and public affairs expert who previously served as Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning (2019–2023), and as Director of Special Duties at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
Driving a Reform-Oriented Agenda
According to the forum, these appointments will deepen the technical capacity of its secretariat and strengthen collaboration with states and development partners.
“These appointments underscore the NGF’s commitment to building a high-performing, multidisciplinary leadership team capable of addressing Nigeria’s complex governance challenges—ranging from economic transformation and security to human capital development and effective public communication,” the statement read.
With this strategic restructuring, the NGF seeks to consolidate its role as a central platform for peer learning, policy innovation, and collaborative governance among Nigeria’s governors.