Abuja, NIGERIA — Dr. Fatima Suleiman Zuntu has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following her appointment as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA). The appointment, which is for an initial term of four years, took effect from April 16, 2026.
In a statement released shortly after the official announcement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Zuntu conveyed her appreciation for the opportunity to lead the agency.
Okay News reports that she described the appointment as a significant honor and a call to contribute to the nation’s biosafety and public health framework.
“I am deeply honored by the confidence reposed in me by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) through my appointment as the DG of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA),” Dr. Zuntu stated. She further expressed her commitment to the President’s vision, adding, “I want to express my profound gratitude to Mr. President for this opportunity and privilege.”
Dr. Zuntu, a public health professional and policy strategist, has been tasked by the President to utilize her expertise in driving impactful national programs within the agency. Her leadership comes at a time when the NBMA is intensifying efforts to regulate genetically modified organisms and ensure the safety of biotechnology in Nigeria.
The appointment was made in accordance with Section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015. Stakeholders in the health and environmental sectors have welcomed the move, anticipating that Dr. Zuntu’s background will strengthen the agency’s capacity to handle emerging biosafety challenges while promoting national security through effective policy strategy.
