Tinubu Names New Special Adviser To Strengthen National Assembly Relations

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters for the House of Representatives.

According to Ireporter Online, the appointment takes immediate effect following the resignation of Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who stepped down from the position to pursue an elective ambition in his home state.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the new appointee would be responsible for supporting stronger relations between the executive arm of government and the House of Representatives.

The Presidency described the 40-year-old Olanrewaju-Smart as an experienced legislative affairs and public policy professional with a strong background in National Assembly operations.

The statement revealed that he holds a doctorate degree in Educational Management from Lead City University, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University and a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations.

He was also identified as an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where he focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.

Olanrewaju-Smart has built extensive experience within the National Assembly, having served in various capacities from the 7th to the 10th Assemblies.

The Presidency noted that his legislative career included roles such as Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives, Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff and later Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House during the 9th and 10th Assemblies.

His previous roles, according to the Presidency, equipped him with expertise in legislative research, administration and managing relationships between lawmakers and the executive.

Olanrewaju-Smart joined the Presidency in October 2023 as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held before his latest appointment.

The Presidency further stated that his public policy contributions include research work connected to major legislative initiatives, including the Interest-Free Student Loan Act.

President Tinubu expressed confidence that Olanrewaju-Smart’s experience and knowledge of legislative processes would help improve cooperation between the Federal Government and the House of Representatives.