Nigeria Governors’ Forum Appoints Dr Abdulateef Shittu as New DG in Strategic Restructuring

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has announced sweeping changes to its leadership structure, unveiling Dr Abdulateef Shittu as its new Director-General (DG). The decision, according to the Forum, is part of a deliberate restructuring of its secretariat to strengthen its institutional capacity and align with international best practices in governance.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the newly appointed Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, who also underscored the reforms as “a deliberate shift towards a more agile and results-driven institution.”

The restructuring followed a comprehensive review conducted by Deloitte, a global consulting firm engaged to assess and re-engineer NGF’s internal processes. The Forum noted that the move was designed not only to refresh its leadership structure but also to position itself as a robust subnational policy hub capable of responding to Nigeria’s dynamic governance challenges.

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A Strategic Reform Process

The NGF explained that the appointments were not routine administrative adjustments but the outcome of a thorough institutional reform process. By engaging Deloitte, the Forum sought to benchmark its operations against global standards of transparency, efficiency, and policy impact.

“These changes are not merely administrative but mark a deliberate shift towards a more agile and results-driven institution,” Abdullahi emphasized in the statement.

According to him, the Forum is committed to creating a multidisciplinary leadership team that can effectively engage with issues ranging from economic transformation, security, energy, and governance reforms to human capital development.

Key Appointments Announced

The Forum announced several appointments across critical sectors of governance, law, finance, and development strategy. The appointees, who bring a mix of expertise and professional experience, are expected to inject fresh energy into the NGF’s operations.

• Dr Abdulateef Shittu – Director-General
  A seasoned governance expert, Dr Shittu assumes leadership of the NGF at a critical time. His role will involve coordinating the Forum’s activities, strengthening its research and policy engagement capacity, and ensuring effective collaboration between Nigeria’s 36 state governors.
• Edmund Nnaji – Executive Director, Finance and Administration
  A corporate lawyer with vast experience in financial governance, Nnaji is expected to drive reforms in resource mobilization, financial accountability, and organizational efficiency.
• Prof Dauda Yinusa – Executive Director, Policy, Strategy, and Research
  A former Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Prof Yinusa brings extensive experience in policy formulation and implementation. He will oversee strategic research and development of innovative policy frameworks.
• Dr Ahmad Abdulwahab – Executive Director, Programmes and Partnerships
  An expert in health systems reform and programme management, Abdulwahab’s appointment reflects the Forum’s renewed commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and forging stronger development partnerships at the subnational level.
• Chijioke Chuku – General Counsel and Head of Energy
  A lawyer with over 20 years of experience in policy and legal matters, Chuku is expected to guide the Forum on constitutional, legal, and energy-related issues, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s transition towards sustainable energy solutions.
• Mrs Hauwa Haliru-Hassan – Director, Gender Affairs & CEO, Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum
  Elevated to a dual role, Haliru-Hassan will drive gender-focused initiatives while also coordinating the activities of the Governors’ Spouses Forum. Her portfolio signals a growing emphasis on gender inclusivity and social development policies.
• Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina – Senior Security Adviser
  With more than three decades of experience in security and conflict resolution, Dr Katsina will provide expert guidance on security matters affecting states, particularly in light of Nigeria’s ongoing battles against insurgency, banditry, and communal conflicts.
• Yunusa Abdullahi – Director of Media and Strategic Communications
  As the Forum’s spokesperson, Abdullahi will manage its public image, shape communication strategies, and strengthen engagement with both domestic and international stakeholders.

Strengthening Subnational Governance

The NGF emphasized that these appointments underscore its resolve to become a driver of innovation and accountability at the subnational level. The Forum noted that the future of Nigeria’s development lies significantly in the strength of its states, which must become more self-reliant, accountable, and innovative in their governance approach.

“The NGF is strengthening its capacity to respond to issues ranging from economic transformation and security to human capital development. This new team reflects our determination to reposition the Forum as a driver of innovation and accountability at the subnational level,” Abdullahi stated.

Observers note that the NGF has evolved into one of the most influential non-partisan platforms in Nigeria, providing a space where state governors can collectively address pressing issues while engaging with the federal government and international partners.

Implications of the Restructuring

The restructuring signals a renewed focus on performance-driven leadership within the NGF. With the challenges facing Nigeria’s states—including dwindling revenues, rising insecurity, energy sector crises, and a struggling health and education system—the Forum’s new leadership is expected to play a central role in shaping coordinated subnational responses.

By positioning experts with sectoral depth in finance, law, security, and development, the NGF appears determined to shed its image as a mere political caucus of governors and instead evolve into a policy and governance powerhouse.

However, the success of this restructuring will depend on how effectively the new appointees can bridge the gap between policy development and practical governance outcomes at the state level. Nigerians will be watching to see whether the Forum can translate its renewed institutional capacity into tangible improvements in governance across the 36 states.

The appointment of Dr Abdulateef Shittu as Director-General and the unveiling of a new leadership team marks a turning point in the history of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. With the backing of a Deloitte-led reform process, the Forum is seeking to reposition itself as a more accountable, agile, and globally benchmarked institution.

As Nigeria navigates multiple socio-economic challenges, the NGF’s restructured secretariat is expected to provide states with stronger policy direction, improved collaboration, and innovative strategies to drive inclusive growth. The months ahead will reveal whether this bold restructuring will deliver on its promise of transforming the Forum into a true engine of subnational governance reform.