RismadarVoice Reporters, July 26, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was announced in a statement issued on Sunday, July 26, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Dr Olanrewaju-Smart succeeds Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who resigned from the position to pursue an elective political office in his home state.
According to the Presidency, the new presidential adviser brings extensive experience in legislative administration, public policy and intergovernmental relations, having served in several strategic roles within both the National Assembly and the Presidency.
A respected scholar and public policy expert, Olanrewaju-Smart holds a Doctor of Philosophy (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.
His academic credentials further include participation as a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a Professional Diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations, and a Policy Fellowship at Quantum Alliance AI, United States, where he focused on Artificial Intelligence and Civic Technology.
The Presidency noted that Olanrewaju-Smart has built an extensive career within the National Assembly, beginning as a Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives during the 7th and 8th Assemblies.
He subsequently rose through the ranks, serving as Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff, and later Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 9th and 10th National Assemblies.
In October 2023, he joined the Presidency as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held until his latest appointment.
The statement also highlighted his contributions to legislative development, noting that his public policy research has supported the drafting and development of several key legislations, including the Interest-Free Student Loan Act and other policy initiatives.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Olanrewaju-Smart’s capacity to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature.
According to the President, the new Special Adviser is expected to leverage his experience, policy expertise and understanding of legislative processes to enhance coordination between the Presidency, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the House of Representatives.
The appointment is expected to further reinforce the administration’s engagement with the National Assembly as it pursues the implementation of its policy and legislative agenda.
