Tinubu Appoints Olanrewaju-Smart As Legislative Aide

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as the new Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), replacing Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who resigned to contest an elective position in his home state.

The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was announced in a statement on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Olanrewaju-Smart brings extensive experience in public policy and legislative affairs to the role, having served in several strategic positions within the National Assembly and the Presidency.

The new presidential aide holds a PhD in Educational Management from Lead City University 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, a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and holds a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations.

He also served as a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where he focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.

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His legislative career began as a Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives during the 7th and 8th National Assemblies. He later rose through the ranks to become Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff, and eventually Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 9th and 10th Assemblies.

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

The Presidency noted that his policy contributions include research on several landmark legislations, including the Interest-Free Student Loan Act.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in the appointee’s ability to strengthen collaboration between the Executive and the House of Representatives.

“President Tinubu is confident that Olanrewaju-Smart will use his experience, intellect, and commitment to strengthening legislative coordination and relations between the Presidency, MDAs and the House of Representatives,” the statement read.

The Presidency said the appointment takes immediate effect.