Abbas Hails Tinubu’s Appointment Of Olanrewaju-Smart As Presidential Adviser On House Matters

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has welcomed the appointment of Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), describing him as the right person for the role.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Abbas commended President Tinubu for appointing one of his former aides to strengthen relations between the Executive and the Legislature.

The Speaker said the appointment once again demonstrated the President’s political foresight and confidence in capable hands.

Olanrewaju-Smart’s appointment followed his elevation from the position of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs. Before joining the Presidency in 2023, he served as Chief of Staff to Speaker Abbas and had earlier held the same position under former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now Chief of Staff to the President.

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Describing the appointment as well deserved, Abbas praised Olanrewaju-Smart’s dedication to duty and deep understanding of legislative processes and democratic governance.

“The Speaker described Dr. Olanrewaju-Smart’s recent appointment as ‘well-deserved,’ highlighting his commitment to duty and solid understanding of parliamentary procedures and democratic governance,” the statement said.

Abbas also described the new presidential aide as an intelligent, hardworking and patriotic Nigerian whose integrity and professionalism have distinguished him over the years.

The Speaker expressed confidence that Olanrewaju-Smart’s new role as the liaison between the Presidency and the House of Representatives would further strengthen cooperation and cordial relations between both arms of government.

He also wished the new presidential adviser a successful tenure and prayed for wisdom, strength and divine guidance in the discharge of his responsibilities.

Olanrewaju-Smart holds a doctorate in Educational Management from Lead City University, Ibadan, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. He is also an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He currently serves as a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, focusing on artificial intelligence and civic technology, and also holds a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations.