President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as the new Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
The appointment takes immediate effect, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Olanrewaju Smart replaces Ibrahim Olanrewaju, who stepped down from the position to pursue an elective political office in his home state.
The Presidency described the new appointee as an experienced public policy expert with an extensive background in legislative affairs and governance.Dr. Olanrewaju-Smart holds a doctorate 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 also earned a Professional Diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations. His academic profile further includes participation as a LEAPS Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Policy Fellow at Quantum Alliance AI in the United States, where his work focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.
Before his latest appointment, Olanrewaju-Smart had built a long career within the National Assembly, serving in various capacities including Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leader during the 7th and 8th Assemblies.
He later rose through the ranks to become Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff and eventually Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 9th and 10th Assemblies.
In October 2023, he joined the Presidency as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he held until his new appointment. The Presidency also noted that his public policy contributions include research supporting several key legislations, including the Interest-Free Student Loan Act.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that Olanrewaju-Smart would leverage his legislative experience, academic background and public service expertise to strengthen collaboration between the Presidency, the House of Representatives, and government ministries, departments and agencies.
