President Bola Tinubu has approved an indefinite leave of absence for his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, in a move that hints at a potentially permanent departure.
The Presidency confirmed on Saturday that Ngelale, who also served as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, submitted a formal request citing personal and health reasons for his leave. The response from President Tinubu appeared conclusive, with a statement on the State House’s official social media channels wishing Ngelale “well in all his future endeavors”—a phrase often associated with permanent exits in political contexts.
While expressing sympathy for the circumstances leading to Ngelale’s leave, President Tinubu acknowledged the significant contributions of his aide, commending his “tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation” and highlighting his role in “advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.”
The indefinite nature of the leave, coupled with the language used in the announcement, strongly suggests that Ngelale may not be returning to his position.
In response to Ngelale’s request, the Presidency also appealed to the public to respect his privacy. No details have been provided regarding his potential replacement or the management of his responsibilities during his absence.
Meanwhile, sources within the presidency indicate that Ngelale’s departure has sparked competition among President Tinubu’s close media aides for the vacant role. Bayo Onanuga, currently serving as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, is reportedly interested in the position. He faces competition from Sunday Dare, the former Minister of Youths and Sports and Tinubu’s ex-chief of staff, and Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s long-time personal chief press secretary.
This development follows a clash in May between Ngelale and Onanuga over an “unauthorised” press statement issued by Onanuga, which added to the tension within the media team.
