President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), in a move aimed at strengthening legislative engagement and coordination between the Presidency and the Green Chamber.

 

The appointment, which takes immediate effect, follows the resignation of Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who stepped down from the position to pursue an elective office in his home state.

 

A statement on Sunday said Olanrewaju-Smart brings to the role extensive experience in legislative administration, public policy and intergovernmental relations, having served in various strategic positions within the National Assembly and the Presidency.

 

The 40-year-old scholar and public policy expert holds a PhD in Educational Management from Lead City University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, where he was an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.

 

He is also a LEAPS Fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), holds a Professional Diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations, and was a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where he focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.

 

His legislative career began as Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives during the 7th and 8th National Assemblies.

 

He later rose through the ranks to serve as Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff, and eventually Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House in both 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.

 

His public policy credentials include contributions to the development of several landmark legislations, including the Interest-Free Student Loan Act.

 

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the new presidential aide would deploy his wealth of experience, academic pedigree and policy expertise to deepen cooperation between the Presidency, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the House of Representatives, while enhancing legislative coordination in support of the administration’s governance agenda.