LA SUITE APRÈS LA PUBLICITÉ

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially appointed Dr. Fatima Suleiman Zuntu as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency – NBMA, effective April 16, 2026.

The announcement, released by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, confirms that Dr. Zuntu will lead the agency for an initial four-year term. Tasked with overseeing the regulation of modern biotechnology and the safe handling of Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs, her appointment aligns with the National Biosafety Management Agency Act of 2015 and aims to leverage her expertise for national development.

Dr. Zuntu is a distinguished public health professional and policy strategist with a robust background in clinical practice and international development. Her career includes significant roles as a Health, Nutrition, and Population Consultant for the World Bank Group and a Resident Doctor at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital.

She has also served in medical and administrative capacities at the Central Bank of Nigeria – CBN and NNPC Health Maintenance Organization Ltd. Beyond her clinical and consultancy work, she is the founder of the Suleiman Zuntu Foundation, an NGO dedicated to improving access to essential social and developmental services.

Her academic and professional credentials are extensive, featuring a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Maiduguri and a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of South Wales.

Dr. Zuntu is a Fellow of the West African Institute of Public Health and maintains memberships with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the National Postgraduate Medical College.

Additionally, she holds various certifications in specialized fields, including climate science, health insurance systems, and gender and reproductive health, making her a versatile leader for Nigeria’s biosafety landscape.

As the NBMA enters a new era under Dr. Zuntu’s leadership, it continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that biotechnology and bioengineering innovations are safe for human health and the environment.

This transition comes at a time when the agency is modernizing its regulatory frameworks, having recently announced plans to integrate blockchain, QR codes, and artificial intelligence into its GMO monitoring processes.

With Nigeria expanding its adoption of genetically modified crops, Dr. Zuntu’s strategic vision will be essential in maintaining safety standards and public confidence in the nation’s biosafety protocols.