President Tinubu Appoints Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji as Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations

President Tinubu Appoints Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji as Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji as the Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN), a critical federal agency mandated to lead and coordinate Nigeria’s participation in global, regional, and bilateral trade negotiations.

The appointment is seen as a strategic step towards repositioning Nigeria’s trade agenda in line with global economic dynamics and the administration’s renewed focus on economic diversification, investment promotion, and fair trade. Rikiji is expected to bring to the role a wealth of experience in governance, policy-making, and intergovernmental coordination.

A seasoned public administrator and politician, Hon. Rikiji is a former member of the House of Representatives and served with distinction as the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. Over the course of his legislative career, he was widely regarded for his leadership capacity, depth of policy understanding, and commitment to institutional development.

In 2019, Rikiji was appointed Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. In that role, he was instrumental in managing inter-parliamentary relations, coordinating legislative initiatives, and supporting strategic national engagements. His work earned him broad respect across party lines and among key stakeholders in the executive and legislative arms.

In 2022, Hon. Rikiji resigned from his federal appointment to pursue elective office, underscoring his ongoing commitment to democratic participation and grassroots representation. He later emerged as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, reaffirming his enduring popularity and credibility among his constituents.

Widely known for his humility, discretion, and administrative competence, Hon. Rikiji has consistently demonstrated a capacity for service beyond titles, often serving in advisory, reconciliatory, and ceremonial capacities at national and traditional levels. His track record reflects a deep understanding of both statecraft and nation-building.

As Director-General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations, Rikiji is expected to play a central role in shaping Nigeria’s trade posture under the frameworks of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). His leadership comes at a time when Nigeria must strategically harness trade opportunities to boost non-oil exports, attract foreign direct investment, and improve the competitiveness of local industries.

Stakeholders within and outside government have welcomed the appointment, describing it as well-deserved and timely. With Hon. Sanusi Garba Rikiji at the helm of the NOTN, many believe Nigeria is better positioned to secure more beneficial trade outcomes and to assert its leadership role in regional and global economic platforms.