President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Fatima Suleiman-Zuntu as director-general and chief executive officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
The appointment takes effect from April 16, according to a statement issued on Monday by Chris Ugwuegbulam, head of information and public relations at the office of the secretary to the government of the federation.
He said Suleiman-Zuntu will serve an initial term of four years in line with the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.
Mr Ugwuegbulam said the president has asked the new head of the agency to apply her experience to its work.
Suleiman-Zuntu is a public health professional with experience in national programmes.
She has worked with the World Bank Group and served in roles in hospitals and health organisations, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and National Hospital Abuja.
She holds a medical degree from the University of Maiduguri and a master’s degree in public health from the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom.
The National Biosafety Management Agency regulates biotechnology and the use of genetically modified organisms in Nigeria.
Fatima Suleiman-Zuntu’s appointment follows recent questions raised about leadership requirements at the agency.
In December 2025, a group submitted a freedom of information request seeking details of the qualifications of a former director-general, Bello Bwari.
The group said the law requires the head of the agency to have a degree in biological sciences or a related field and asked the government to provide records on the appointment process.
The agency is responsible for ensuring that biotechnology activities meet safety standards for public health and the environment.
