Minister, Ambassador, NTA: Appointments President Tinubu Has Reversed

According to Ireporter Online, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent reversal of appointments at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has once again drawn attention to a growing pattern of abrupt policy U-turns under his administration.

On August 20, 2025, the President announced a new leadership for the state broadcaster with immediate effect, describing the move as part of his commitment to repositioning national broadcasting as a tool for unity, cohesion and soft diplomacy. The appointments included Rotimi Pedro, a broadcast professional with more than two decades of experience, as Director-General of the NTA. Pedro publicly pledged to revive the organisation through technology-driven reforms, innovation and audience engagement, which he said were necessary to rescue the broadcaster from decline.

Also appointed was Stella Din-Jacob, a former Director of News and Editor-in-Chief at Television Continental, as Executive Director of News. She described the responsibility as both humbling and demanding. Karimah Bello was named Executive Director of Marketing.

However, less than two weeks later, the presidency reversed the appointments of Pedro, Din-Jacob and Bello, reinstating former office holders without providing detailed explanations. The decision sparked renewed debate over the administration’s reform agenda for the NTA and intensified scrutiny of what observers describe as a recurring pattern of sudden reversals in government appointments.

Political analysts note that the NTA episode is part of a broader trend. In recent months, President Tinubu has withdrawn, amended or cancelled several high-profile appointments, in some cases within hours of their announcement. While supporters argue that the President is responsive to emerging political and administrative realities, critics contend that the frequent changes suggest rushed decision-making and have created uncertainty within public institutions.

In August, the President reappointed Muheeba Dankaka for a second term as chairperson of the Federal Character Commission and named Mohammed Musa as secretary. Within hours, Dankaka’s reappointment was withdrawn and replaced with Ayo Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives, without any official clarification.

In another instance, the appointment of Asu Okang, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, to the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission in 2024 was reversed following protests by APC members in Cross River State. Okang was replaced by Orok Otuk Duke. Similar party-driven objections led to the replacement of Victor Akinjo with Otito Atikase on the NDDC board in Ondo State.

Ruby Onwudiwe’s nomination to the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria was also withdrawn after pressure from APC members over her public support for the Labour Party during the 2023 elections. Her nomination was later replaced by Melvin Ayogu, who was confirmed.

On March 18, President Tinubu requested the Senate to reverse the appointments of two Resident Electoral Commissioners just six days after their nomination, citing the need to renew the tenure of an existing REC.

Public backlash followed the appointment of 24-year-old Ibrahim Kashim Imam as chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency board, prompting the presidency to withdraw the appointment two days later.

Further concerns were raised after a series of leadership changes involving Idris Olorunnimbe, who was appointed chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission, replaced months later, and subsequently named chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission.

In August 2023, controversy erupted when ministerial nominee Maryam Shetty reportedly arrived at the National Assembly for screening only to be informed that her nomination had been withdrawn and replaced.

Confusion also trailed the Nigerian Postal Service in October 2023, when conflicting announcements led to two individuals claiming the position of postmaster general before the matter was eventually resolved.

Most recently, the presidency reversed itself less than 24 hours after announcing Usman Dakingari as ambassador-designate to Turkey, later stating that no such appointment had been made.

While previous administrations were criticised for delays in making appointments, the Tinubu administration is increasingly being questioned over the frequency and timing of its reversals, a trend that continues to shape public discourse around governance and institutional stability.