Tinubu’s Masterstroke? Ex-Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose Appointed REA Chairman Amidst 26 New Federal Appointments

By Ayekooto Media Governance Desk July 20, 2026

 

Ayo Fayose

In a sweeping administrative overhaul that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate appointment of 26 individuals into the boards and executive leadership of 10 major Federal Government agencies and commissions.

However, the major headline-grabber in the latest wave of presidential appointments is the selection of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, as the new Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). 

The announcement, contained in an official statement released on Monday by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, underscores the President's ongoing strategy of cross-party appointments and utilizing experienced hands regardless of their political affiliations. Fayose, a historically vocal heavyweight of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will now spearhead the critical infrastructural mandate of the REA under the APC-led federal government.

The REA Board Configuration

To drive the administration's power and rural development agenda, Fayose will head the REA board alongside carefully selected technocrats. Working with him as members and non-executive directors are Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta. The Presidency also confirmed that the incumbent Director-General of the agency, Abba Abubakar Aliyu , along with three previously appointed executive directors, will make up the remainder of the REA board.

Other Key Strategic Appointments

Beyond the REA, the President’s 26-man list introduces fresh leadership to several other vital federal bodies. Key highlights from the Presidency's statement include:

National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission:Major General Junaid Bindawa (Rtd) has been tapped as the new Chairman. He is joined by former Lagos House of Representatives member, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, who assumes the role of Secretary. Additionally, commissioners representing various states were appointed, including Dr. Ogbole Ene Lilian (Benue), Oladele Olatubosun (Oyo), and Yakubu Umar Barde (Kaduna).

Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC): Tosin Johnson Adeyanju , who previously served as the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, has been redeployed to the RMAFC as Secretary.

National Population Commission (NPC):Dr. Abuh Mohammed has been officially appointed as the new Director-General.

Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET):Akinola Odeyemi steps in as the new Managing Director.

Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission: Anthony Godwin assumes the dual role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The Political Implications

For political analysts, Fayose’s appointment is the central talking point of this administrative shake-up. Having previously turned down formal alignment with the ruling party and maintaining that his relationship with Tinubu was purely personal rather than political, his acceptance of the REA Chairmanship signals a pragmatic shift. 

It demonstrates President Tinubu's "government of national competence" approach—a willingness to extend political patronage and operational responsibility to formidable opposition figures to stabilize the polity and tap into their grassroots mobilization experience.

As these 26 appointees assume their respective offices with immediate effect, Nigerians will be watching closely to see if this infusion of diverse political and technocratic experience translates into the much-desired economic and infrastructural dividends.

DAVID ALANI IGE

Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief Ayekooto Media

Phunshor01@gmail.com | publisher@ayekootomediang.com

Archiving Nigeria’s Political Realities and Unvarnished Truths.