ABUJA, Nigeria (Sept. 7, 2024) — Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity and the Official Spokesperson of the President, has announced his resignation.
In a memo submitted to the Chief of Staff to the President on Friday, Ngelale cited “a vexatious medical situation” affecting his immediate family as the reason for his decision. His leave also impacts his roles as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a medical situation has worsened at home,” Ngelale stated in the memo.
Ngelale, a key figure in the President’s administration, expressed hope for a future return to his duties when “time, healing, and fate permit.”
“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when the circumstances allow,” he added, while requesting privacy for his family during this challenging period.
The indefinite leave marks a pause in Ngelale’s active role within the presidency as the administration continues its work on various national initiatives, including climate action and Project Evergreen, which he had been overseeing.
No official statement has been made regarding a temporary replacement or how the President’s communication duties will be managed in Ngelale’s absence.
By Gabriel Ani
