The Nigerian presidency is a behemoth, a very large and powerful institution. Apart from a team of ministers, who along with other top government appointees constitute the Federal Executive Council (FEC), there are a retinue of advisers, assistants and others appointed for the comfort of the president.
This strategic decision makers includes a mix of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Special Advisers (SAs) and Personal Assistants (PAs) advancing the career of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds to strengthen the capacity of the administration.
Some of these presidential aides often exert influence beyond their official jurisdiction, depending on the disposition of the president. In the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, one of the emerging presidential aides believed to have the capacity to make a huge impact on the behaviour and the character of his government is Idris Alubankudi Saliu, Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy.
A notable figure in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, his appointment as a presidential aide has been desctibed as a positive move, considering his industry-specific competence and experience in driving large-scale technical projects, which makes him a valuable asset to the presidency.
As a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, Saliu has demonstrated deep expertise in telecommunications, payments, and scalable digital infrastructure, spanning over two decades. His experience as the former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Interswitch Group, Africa’s oldest unicorn, and co-founder of two fintech companies, Arca and Ceviant Finance, underscores his capabilities in driving technological advancements.
In his role as Special Adviser, he is expected to leverage his expertise to support President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s digital economy, including expanding broadband penetration, implementing blockchain policy reforms, and creating one million new ICT jobs.
While anyone holding Saliu’s designation is supposed to work in concert with the Minister in charge of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Saliu is said to report directly to Mr. President. He is alleged to be in control of aspects of what is being strongly speculated to be a coordinated ‘State Capture’ strategy, which is being personally driven by him. He is not alone in this so-called state capture, as it is also rumoured that some Ministers, Special Advisers, and associates around the president are executing the strategy.
With state capture, you have to adjust regulations to favour your personal and financial interests (instead of national interests); you have to position and platform your own associates and vehicles instead of allowing a democratic and fair process. This is what Saliu is reportedly doing in the technology and digital economy area. Using his vast knowledge of technology, telecommunications and financial space, he appears to be working with a team to get inside key private companies by any means possible.
“Having worked in the tech and digital economy space for many years, even though many were surprised by his choice as an Special Adviser, it is now clear that his role is to provide his knowledge of the tech, telco, and finance space and decide ways of plugging his principals, himself, and his associates into the revenue sources in these key companies,” a source who pleaded anonymity said.
In the 18 months of President Tinubu government, it appears that the Nigerian state is being captured aggressively and Saliu is a critical arrowhead prosecuting a complex schemes that make unreasonable demands and attempts to frustrate major companies in Nigeria.
The option before these hapless companies is to either play ball or lose big. Many of these companies as gathered are being aggressively targeted through summons, investigations, refusal of approvals and other tactics. Once they get into the bad books of government officials, especially the SA to the President on Technology and Digital Economy, only God or Mr. President can persuade him to back off.
According to the allegations, it appears the SA is using frivolous petitions and wrong information to waste the agencies’ time and send them on a wild goose chase. He is reportedly, personally signing petitions, consequently wasting government resources since the investigations do not seem to lead anywhere.
It is not clear if the President is aware, Saliu is working alone or acting in concert with other senior figures in the government. There are indications that strong petitions have been written against him.
While most staleholders in the organised private sector are alluding to the likely consequences of the actions on the reputation of President Tinubu and his government, many within the government circles are afraid of the implication of what is going on, but no one wants to speak out because of the obvious risks.
