President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Fatima Suleiman Zuntu as the new Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
Spokesperson in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chris Ugwuegbulam, announced the appointment, which takes effect from April 16, 2026, is for an initial term of four years and is in accordance with Section 5 of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.
Dr Zuntu brings extensive experience as a public health professional and policy strategist to the role.
The statement said Dr Fatima Zuntu has a proven track record of driving impactful national programmes, positioning her to strengthen the agency’s regulatory mandate.
Tinubu urged Dr Zuntu to deploy her expertise to advance the agency’s objectives and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Dr Fatima Suleiman Zuntu is a Public Health professional and policy strategist with a proven track record of driving impactful national programs.
“The President tasks the appointee to contribute her expertise to the agency for the good of the nation,” the statement said.
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is responsible for regulating the safe use of modern biotechnology and ensuring adequate protection of human health and the environment in Nigeria.
She holds a Bachelor of Medicine (2016) from the University of Maiduguri and an MSc. Public Health (2021) – University of South Wales, UK
Dr Zuntu was a Health, Nutrition & Population Consultant (STC) to the World Bank Group (Dec 2023 – Jun 2025) and worked at the Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna (Jan 2021 – Jan 2022)
She was Team Lead – Provider Network Management, NNPC Health Maintenance Organization Ltd (Oct 2019 – Dec 2020); Medical Officer, Kapital Hospital & Maternity Nigeria Ltd, Abuja (Jul 2019 – Dec 2020); Medical Officer, Central Bank of Nigeria (May 2018 – Mar 2019) and Medical House Officer, National Hospital Abuja (Jan 2017 – Jan 2018)
She is a Fellow of the West African Institute of Public Health (2021); member of the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria (2021); Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (2016) Notable Certifications Multiple advanced certificates in climate science, humanitarian response, COVID-19 management, GIS for HIV/AIDS M&E, governance and health, health insurance M&E, gender & sexual/reproductive health, knowledge management, and HR policy.
Dr Fatima Zuntu is a winner of the National Association of Northern Nigeria Students – Award of Excellence
She was the National Coordinator, Grassroots Mobilisation for Tinubu/Kashim (2022–present); member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Committee (2023 & 2019); National Delegate, APC Presidential Primaries (2022).
