President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Fatima Suleiman Zuntu as the new Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).

The appointment, which takes effect from April 16, 2026, is for an initial term of four years and is in line with the provisions of Section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency, 2015.

Dr. Zuntu, a public health professional and policy strategist, is expected to lead the agency in advancing Nigeria’s biosafety framework. She is regarded as having a strong track record in the design and implementation of national health and policy programmes.

The NBMA is the federal body responsible for ensuring the safe application of modern biotechnology in Nigeria, as well as protecting human health and the environment from any potential adverse effects of genetically modified products.

President Tinubu also charged the new Director-General to deploy her knowledge and leadership skills toward enhancing the agency’s impact and contributing meaningfully to national development.

Her appointment comes at a time when Nigeria continues to navigate complex issues surrounding food security, agricultural innovation, and biosafety regulation, making the role increasingly critical within the country’s scientific and policy landscape.

Dr. Zuntu is expected to assume office immediately and oversee ongoing programmes while setting strategic priorities for the agency over the next four years.