Why I Stepped Down as The Media Adviser of President Tinubu-Ajuri Ngelale

Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has stepped down from his position to address health issues affecting his immediate family. This decision was communicated through a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, indicating that Ngelale would be on an indefinite leave of absence. In addition to his role as the presidential spokesman, Ngelale has also paused his functions as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen. This move was necessitated by a worsening medical situation within his family, as mentioned in statements and posts across various platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter). Ngelale’s decision underscores a personal priority over his public duties, highlighting the challenging balance between personal life and high-level political responsibilities.

Ajuri Ngelale

On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.

While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.

I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.

I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
September 7, 2024