President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), with immediate effect.
He replaces Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who resigned from the position to contest an elective office in his home state.
The appointment was announced on Sunday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the Presidency, Olanrewaju-Smart brings extensive legislative experience and a strong academic background in public policy to his new role.
He holds a PhD in Educational Management from Lead City University, a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, where he was an Edward S. Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Professional Diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations.
He also completed fellowships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where he focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.
Olanrewaju-Smart previously served as Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives during the 7th and 8th National Assemblies before rising to become Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff and later Chief of Staff to the Speaker during the 9th and 10th Assemblies.
He joined the Presidency in October 2023 as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Presidency noted that he contributed to the development of several key public policy initiatives, including the Student Loan Act.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that Olanrewaju-Smart would strengthen legislative coordination and improve relations between the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies, and the House of Representatives.
