GistReel
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as the new Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, House of Representatives, with immediate effect.
The appointment, announced on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has drawn attention due to Olanrewaju-Smart’s extensive legislative experience and impressive academic background.
He succeeds Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who stepped down from the role to pursue an elective position in his home state.
Harvard graduate brings legislative experience to new role
According to the Presidency, the 40-year-old holds a doctorate in Educational Management from Lead City University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University, where he was an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.
He also earned a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations. In addition, he was a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, focusing on artificial intelligence and civic technology.
Before his latest appointment, Olanrewaju-Smart served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he assumed in October 2023.
Presidency expresses confidence in appointee
The Presidency noted that Olanrewaju-Smart has built a distinguished career within the National Assembly, serving in several strategic positions, including Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leader, Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
His public policy contributions also include research supporting landmark legislation such as the Interest-Free Student Loan Act.
The Presidency said President Tinubu is confident the new adviser will strengthen coordination between the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies, and the House of Representatives through his experience and policy expertise.