Ke ypoints
- President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Ms Adedayo Laniyi as the Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD).
- The appointment is for an initial term of four years, effective from April 18, 2026.
- The decision aligns with the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- A new Governing Council for the centre has been constituted, chaired by Joan Idonije.
- Council members include Lois Auta, Jamila Sarki, Aisha Baiyee, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, and Anne Agom-Eze.
Main Story
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ms Adedayo Laniyi as the Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) for an initial term of four years.
This is contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume and issued by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Ibrahim Kana.
According to Akume, the appointment, which takes effect from April 18, 2026, is in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 (1) and (3) of the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023.
The President also approved the constitution of the members of the Governing Council of the Centre to oversee its strategic direction.
The council is chaired by Joan Idonije and includes several prominent members to support the centre’s mission of women’s empowerment and development. Akume noted that the appointments are part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen institutional leadership within the healthcare and social development sectors.
The Issues
- The appointment marks a transition in leadership at a time when the centre is expected to play a more active role in the National Gender Policy implementation.
- The MBNCWD faces the challenge of modernizing its research and training facilities to better address contemporary issues such as digital literacy and economic inclusion for women.
- Ensuring the new leadership effectively coordinates with the Ministry of Women Affairs is critical for the synchronization of national development goals.
What’s Being Said
- The appointment is “in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 (1) and (3) of the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023.”
What’s Next
- Ms Adedayo Laniyi is expected to formally assume duties at the centre’s headquarters in Abuja following the April 18 effective date.
- The newly constituted Governing Council will hold its inaugural meeting to set the agenda for the 2026-2030 term.
- Stakeholders in the women’s development sector will look for new initiatives focused on vocational training and maternal health advocacy under the new leadership.
Bottom Line
The appointment of Adedayo Laniyi and a new Governing Council signals a fresh administrative cycle for the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development as it seeks to fulfill its mandate under the amended 2023 Act.
