Nigeria Taps Investment Executive Mutallab to Lead Export Zones
President Bola Tinubu has appointed investment executive Muhammad Hadi Mutallab to lead Nigeria's export processing zones, signaling a push to attract private capital and boost non-oil exports.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday named Muhammad Hadi Mutallab as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). The agency oversees the promotion, licensing and regulation of the country's special economic zones. Mutallab takes the helm as Nigeria attempts to accelerate export-oriented industrial development.
The appointment places a seasoned investment executive at the center of the country's economic diversification strategy. Mutallab is the founder of Dattaku Global Investment Ltd, a firm with interests in offshore support vessels, real estate, port terminals and e-commerce. He also founded Farm To You Naija, an agritech venture that connects consumers directly with farmers.
His financial sector experience includes a board seat at Jaiz Bank Plc, a role he has held since April 2023. At the lender, he has been involved in initiatives to enhance fintech capabilities and optimise e-commerce operations. He also serves on the board of Equatorial Marine Oil and Gas, adding to his governance portfolio in the maritime space.
This cross-sector background aligns closely with NEPZA's operational requirements. The agency is tasked with strengthening special economic zones, expanding manufacturing capacity and driving up non-oil revenues. Mutallab’s direct experience in port terminals and maritime logistics is particularly relevant for an agency managing zones heavily reliant on cargo movement.
The leadership change coincides with broader efforts by Nigeria to integrate its economy with global markets. Nigeria recently signed a Double Taxation Agreement with Hong Kong. The pact is structured to eliminate double taxation, curb tax evasion and provide a clearer framework for cross-border trade and investment flows.
Academically, Mutallab holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and an MBA from Canadian University Dubai, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honours in 2018. He also completed a Risk Management certification from Imperial Executive & Professional Education in May 2024. For investors, his combination of risk management training and operational logistics exposure signals a potentially more commercial approach to managing Nigeria's free trade zones.
