By Danlami Nasir Isah
Mohammed Bello Koko, an accomplished banker, started his career with FSB International Bank Plc in 1996. His career in banking saw him functioned across several strategic portfolios including banking operations, credit-risk management, treasury operations, retail banking and corporate marketing where he was in charge of energy, and public sectors, thus with the responsibility for managing accounts of several multinational oil and gas companies, and public sector relationships.
He joined Zenith International Bank Plc in the year 2005 where he grew to the positions of a Branch Head, and subsequently, a Zonal Head. His exceptional contribution to the bank’s globally referenced profitability in the period 2005 to 2015, earned him numerous awards in the bank and a spot in the bank’s Executive Management team as Deputy General Manager and Zonal Head.
Mohammed Bello Koko who was born on 25th March 1969 at Koko-Besse Local Government Area of the present Kebbi State, attended Federal Government College Sokoto in 1986. After his secondary school education, he proceeded to Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto for his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Management Studies, and later, Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA).
Imbued by his penchant for continuous learning, he proceeded further to the Harvard Kennedy School, USA where he bagged an Executive Certificate in public leadership.
In 2016, Mohammed Bello Koko was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR as Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a role he held with distinction till May 2021, when he was appointed acting Managing Director.
His sterling performance as acting Managing Director is evidenced by the plugging of income leakages, unprecedented growth in revenue and improved operational efficiencies that led to significant increase in container traffic to Onne Port and the demonstrated resolve to open up the eastern ports of Warri, Calabar and Rivers convinced President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm Koko as Managing Director of the NPA on the 15th of February, 2022.
Bello Koko who is a fellow of both the Association of National Accountants of Nigerian (ANAN) and the Institute of Strategies Management (ISMN), is also member of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). He has attended several domestic and international trainings.
