President Bola Tinubu has appointed Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as his special adviser on National Assembly matters focusing on the House of Representatives. The appointment, announced on Sunday, July 26, by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, takes immediate effect and fills the vacancy left by Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who resigned to pursue an elective office in his home state.
New Adviser Brings Extensive Legislative Experience
Olanrewaju-Smart, 40, is an accomplished scholar and public policy expert with a strong background in legislative affairs. He holds a PhD in Educational Management from Lead City University and a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University. He is also an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and a former LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His academic credentials include a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations and a policy fellowship at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where he focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.
His professional career spans over a decade in the Nigerian legislative system. He started as a Research and Media Assistant to the Minority or Majority Leader of the House of Representatives during the 7th and 8th Assemblies. He later served as Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff, and eventually Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House in the 9th and 10th Assemblies. In October 2023, he joined the presidency as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held until this new appointment.
Presidential Confidence in Legislative Coordination
President Tinubu expressed confidence that Olanrewaju-Smart's experience, intellect, and commitment would strengthen legislative coordination and improve relations between the presidency, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and the House of Representatives. The statement from Bayo Onanuga noted: “This appointment is with immediate effect.”
Olanrewaju-Smart has contributed to several landmark legislations, including the Interest-Free Student Loan Act, among others. His public policy research portfolio reflects a deep understanding of governance and legislative processes.
Successor to Ibrahim Olanrewaju
The former special adviser, Ibrahim Olanrewaju, resigned to contest an elective position in his home state. His departure created a need for a seasoned official who can maintain effective communication between the executive and legislative arms. Analysts see the appointment as a strategic move to ensure continuity in the administration's legislative agenda.
Tinubu's Broader Second-Term Priorities
Separately, President Tinubu has outlined his second-term focus, emphasizing economic stability and national security as immediate concerns. He stated that his administration would prioritize resolving key political issues, with economic and security reforms at the forefront. The president alleged that individuals opposed to his policies were behind some of the country's security challenges, though he did not provide evidence.
The appointment of Olanrewaju-Smart is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the executive-legislative interface as the government advances its policy goals. His background in both academia and high-level legislative administration positions him as a key figure in coordinating the administration's agenda with the House of Representatives.
