President Bola Tinubu has named Dr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart as the new Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), with the appointment taking immediate effect.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Olanrewaju-Smart takes over from Ibrahim Olanrewaju following his resignation to pursue an elective position in his home state.

According to the Presidency, the 40-year-old brings extensive experience in legislative affairs and public policy to the role. His academic credentials include a doctorate in Educational Management from Lead City University, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, where he was an Edward Mason Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and a professional diploma in Public Relations from the London School of Public Relations.

He has also participated in international policy and leadership programmes, including the LEAPS Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Quantum Alliance AI Policy Fellowship in the United States, where he focused on artificial intelligence and civic technology.

Before his latest appointment, Olanrewaju-Smart served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Intergovernmental Affairs, a position he assumed in October 2023.

His career in the National Assembly has included roles as Research and Media Assistant to the Minority and Majority Leader during the 7th and 8th Assemblies. He later served as Special Adviser, Deputy Chief of Staff and eventually Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th and 10th Assemblies.

The Presidency also highlighted his contributions to public policy development, including research that supported key legislation such as the Interest-Free Student Loan Act.

President Tinubu expressed confidence that Olanrewaju-Smart’s legislative background and policy expertise would strengthen collaboration between the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies, and the House of Representatives.