President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi as director-general and chief executive officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.

The move signals a leadership transition for the national institution tasked with promoting the empowerment and development of women across Nigeria.

According to official reports, the appointment took effect on April 18, 2026 [1]. Benjamins-Laniyi will serve an initial term of four years [2]. This leadership change comes as part of a broader restructuring of the center's management.

In addition to the appointment of the director-general, the president named a new governing council to oversee the institution's operations. Reports said that Tinubu approved a total of six new appointments for the center [3]. These appointments are designed to provide strategic direction, and governance for the facility.

The Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development serves as a hub for gender-focused initiatives in Nigeria. By appointing a new CEO and a full governing council, the administration aims to refresh the agency's approach to women's advancement. The governing council will work alongside the director-general to implement policies that support the center's mandate.

While some reports refer to the new appointee as Adedayo Laniyi or Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi, the appointment remains the central focus of the recent executive action. The administration has not released further details regarding the specific strategic goals Benjamins-Laniyi is expected to achieve during the four-year term.

“President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi”

The appointment of a new director-general and a full governing council suggests a targeted effort by the Tinubu administration to revitalize the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development. By replacing top leadership and the oversight board simultaneously, the government is positioning the center for a potential shift in policy or operational strategy regarding national gender development.