The Executive Director (ED) of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
A seasoned development finance expert and career banker, with expertise in international trade and development, investment management, human capital development, and entrepreneurship with over two decades of experience in both private and public sectors. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Maiduguri, an MBA in Global Banking and Finance from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Development Finance at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Mr. Abba’s commercial banking career has traversed three of the most prestigious Banks in Nigeria, namely, First Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Whilst in the services of these banks, Mr. Abba headed various departments, including Accounts and Reconciliation, Funds Transfer, and Operations. The experience he gathered in these institutions shaped his financial, analytical, risk management, strategic planning, negotiation and leadership skills. In recognition of his remarkable performance in these institutions, he earned numerous accolades for operational excellence and exemplary leadership. Mr. Abba is a Fintech enthusiast and an advocate of process automation which he strongly believes eliminates wastages, improves efficiency and accountability, thus creating a more productive workforce.
Before joining NIMASA, he worked at the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) as Team Lead for the Credit Insurance and Guarantees department, focusing on operationalizing the ECOWAS Interstate Road Transport Scheme (ISRT) with other major stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Nigeria Customs Service. Mr. Abba was also a Team Lead in the Project Finance Department where he oversaw the appraisals of various credit applications for high impact projects in the manufacturing, agricultural, solid minerals and services sectors.
Mr. Abba is a member of a number of professional associations including the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Chartered Financial Analyst Organization where he obtained the Claritas Investment Certificate. He is also an alumnus of Kings
College Lagos, University of Maiduguri, University of Birmingham, and the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Notable for his strategic and exemplary leadership qualities, financial planning, risk and relationship management expertise, Mr. Abba’s appointment by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Executive Director at NIMASA is expected to contribute significantly to NIMASA’s continued success.

Executive Management