By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has welcomed the appointment of Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), describing the choice as a fitting recognition of competence and experience.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker commended President Tinubu for appointing one of his former top aides to serve as the key liaison between the Presidency and the House of Representatives.
Abbas said the President had once again demonstrated remarkable political judgment by entrusting the strategic position to Olanrewaju-Smart, whom he described as “the right person for the job.”
The Speaker noted that the appointment, which elevates Olanrewaju-Smart from his previous role as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, was well deserved considering his wealth of experience in legislative affairs and public administration.
Before joining the Presidency in October 2023, Olanrewaju-Smart served as Chief of Staff to Speaker Abbas. He had earlier occupied the same position under the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now the Chief of Staff to the President.
According to Abbas, Olanrewaju-Smart’s impressive record of service, deep understanding of parliamentary procedures and democratic governance, as well as his commitment to duty, make him eminently qualified for the new responsibility.
The Speaker further described the appointee as a brilliant, hardworking and patriotic Nigerian whose integrity and dedication to national service have distinguished him throughout his career.
He expressed optimism that Olanrewaju-Smart’s new role as the bridge between the Executive and the Legislature would further deepen cooperation, enhance legislative-executive relations and facilitate smoother engagement between the Presidency and the National Assembly.
Abbas also wished the new presidential adviser a successful tenure and prayed that Allah grants him the wisdom, strength and guidance required to discharge the responsibilities of his office effectively.
Olanrewaju-Smart holds a PhD in Educational Management from Lead City University, Ibadan, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. He is an Edward Mason Fellow in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where he specialised in artificial intelligence and civic technology. He also holds a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations.
President Tinubu announced Olanrewaju-Smart’s appointment on Sunday, naming him Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) with immediate effect, following the resignation of Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who stepped down to pursue an elective office in his home state.
