President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has drawn attention for its decision to place key
responsibilities in the hands of officials in their thirties. The move signals a calculated attempt t
broaden Nigeria’s leadership pool and introduce a younger perspective into public service. These
appointees, ranging from technology specialists to grassroots organisers, embody a generational
shift that could reshape governance in Africa’s largest democracy.
Charles Odii
Charles Okeibunor Odii, 37, currently serves as the Director-General of the Small and Medium
Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), a role he assumed on 13 October 2023
following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He holds a BSc in Management
and Information Systems from Covenant University and an MSc in Media and Communications
from Pan-Atlantic University.
Before his appointment, Odii built a reputation as a leading advocate for entrepreneurship
development, founding SME100Africa in 2015 to provide African entrepreneurs with access to
finance, mentorship, markets, and advisory services.
Odii has introduced a seven-point prosperity agenda to drive SME growth, launching initiatives
such as a Green Energy and Climate Change Desk, a conditional grant scheme for nano
businesses, a women’s entrepreneurship desk, and the Student Undergraduate Internship
Programme (SUIP). Within his first 100 days, SMEDAN facilitated the creation of
approximately 15,000 jobs and mobilised over ₦7 billion in funding for micro, small, and
medium enterprises.
Odii’s leadership exemplifies the Tinubu administration’s focus on youth-led innovation,
enterprise development, and inclusive economic growth under the Renewed Hope agenda.
Abdullahi Garba Ramat
Abdullahi Garba Ramat, 39, is the acting Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), awaiting Senate confirmation. Appointed by
President Bola Tinubu in August 2025, Ramat is one of the administration’s youngest appointees,
reflecting a push for innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector.
An electrical engineer by training, he earned a BEng in Electrical Engineering from Bayero
University, Kano, a Master’s in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from India,
and a PhD in Strategic Management from Lincoln University College. He has also completed
executive certifications at Harvard University, Google, Microsoft, and Gonzaga University,
sharpening both his technical and leadership credentials.
Ramat previously served as Executive Chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area in Kano,
where he introduced a blockchain-based decentralised identity system, created revenue agencies,
and achieved a 300% rise in internally generated revenue. A serial entrepreneur and
philanthropist through the Ramat Foundation, he is now tasked with modernising NERC and
shaping policies that prioritise innovation and youth inclusion in Nigeria’s energy regulation.
Khalil Suleiman Halilu
At just age 32, Khalil Suleiman Halilu became the youngest Executive Vice Chairman and CEO
of NASENI when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him on September 1, 2023. Born in
Kano on October 29, 1990, Halilu represents a new generation of young leaders driving
innovation and technology in Nigeria.
Before joining public service, Halilu had already built a reputation as a bold entrepreneur. He
founded The CANs park, West Africa’s first eco-friendly tech hub, created the ShapShap
delivery app, and contributed to the Zabe election monitoring system. Popularly known as KSH,
he blends business insight with a passion for technology and youth empowerment, making him
one of the most inspiring young voices in Nigeria today.
Ayodele Olawande Wisdom
Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, from Ondo State, is a civil engineer turned public servant. He
studied at Christ School, Ado-Ekiti, the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, and the Federal
University of Technology Akure, before moving on to the University of Maiduguri for
International Journalism. He is a member of the Commonwealth Society of Nigeria and
appointed minister for youth development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubiu.
He has also served in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as Personal Assistant to the
Special Adviser on Innovation to the Vice President. He was a one time Ondo State APC Youth
Leader in 2021 and, by 2023, became Minister of State for Youth under President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu.