Investigation Uncovers Lack Of Diversity In NIRSAL Bank, With Northerners Dominating Leadership And Core Staff

Investigation Uncovers Lack Of Diversity In NIRSAL Bank, With Northerners Dominating Leadership And Core StaffThe Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Bank has faced criticism for its appointment practices, which appear to neglect Nigeria’s Federal Character principle since its establishment in 2015, according to SaharaReporters.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that since its inception, NIRSAL Bank has appointed only individuals from the northern region as Managing Directors. Additionally, approximately 80% of its core staff are also from the North.

Investigations revealed that in the past nine years, NIRSAL Bank has had four different Managing Directors, all of whom are from northern Nigeria. The first Managing Director, Aliyu Abdulhameed, was appointed in December 2015 and is from Adamawa state. He was succeeded in December 2022 by Saad Hamidu, who is also from Adamawa. In April 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Abbass Masanawa, a native of Katsina. Recently, current President Bola Tinubu replaced Masanawa with Saad Hamidu on October 24.

An insider disclosed to SaharaReporters that Mr. Babajide Arowosafe (SW) was initially selected as MD/CEO in September 2024 but was subsequently replaced by Saad Hamidu, allegedly due to the influence of a prominent politician from Adamawa.

The source emphasized, “All the MD/CEOs appointed since the bank’s inception have been from the Northern Region. About 80% of core staff also come from the North, with most programs and interventions focused there.”

These practices raise serious concerns regarding adherence to the Federal Character Principle, which aims to ensure equitable representation in government appointments, fostering inclusion and balance across Nigeria’s diverse population. Established in the 1979 constitution, this principle seeks to prevent dominance by any one region in public service roles.

Additionally, it was noted that the current board of NIRSAL Bank consists of four members from the northern region and only two from the southern region: Muhammad Sani Dattijo (Chairman, North West), Saad Hamidu (MD/CEO, North East), Alhaji Ado Wanka (Non-Executive Director, North East), Hon Shehu Balarabe (Non-Executive Director, North West), Dr. Daphne Dafinone (Non-Executive Director, South South), and Dr. Bankole Allibay (Non-Executive Director, South West).

Out of the bank’s 15 departments, only two—strategy and corporate communication—are led by individuals from the southern region, with the remainder predominantly staffed by individuals from the North.

Further reports revealed that contract staff at NIRSAL’s field offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed deep-seated grievances. Despite playing a crucial role in executing grassroots initiatives and working directly with farmers, these staff members face significant pay disparities and lack essential benefits.

Contract staff reportedly earn far less than their counterparts at the headquarters in Abuja, with field officers receiving only N158,000—less than 50% of the N375,000 they should earn. This issue dates back to when operations were managed by consultants, and despite expectations for improved compensation following NIRSAL’s takeover, staff pay has remained inadequate.

One disgruntled staff member commented, “It’s outright maltreatment. We handle everything from onboarding farmers to operational tasks, yet we earn less than 40% of our rightful pay. Initially, our salary was N132,000, which increased to N145,000. Even after the head office took over, we still only receive N158,000, while core staff earn N375,000 or more.”

The pay disparity is further exacerbated by the lack of benefits and allowances for contract staff, who do not receive health insurance or transportation allowances. This reliance on meager salaries leaves them feeling financially exploited.

“There are no provisions for health insurance or other allowances. Everything depends on our monthly salary, which is why we feel financially mistreated,” the source added.

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