PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once again reversed a set of appointments, this time at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), reinstating Salihu Abdullahi Dembos as Director-General and Ayo Adewuyi as Executive Director of News.
The decision, yesterday, by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, marks the latest in a series of appointment reversals that have become a recurring feature of the Tinubu administration.
This pattern of abrupt changes has sparked concerns about the consistency and thoroughness of the presidency’s decision-making process.
On August 20, 2025, Tinubu appointed Rotimi Pedro as NTA Director-General, Stella Din as Executive Director of News, Karimah Bello as Executive Director of Marketing, and Sophia Mohammed as Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited.
However, Onanuga’s statement clarified that these appointments have been nullified, allowing Dembos, appointed in October 2023, to complete his three-year tenure, and Adewuyi, appointed in 2024, to serve until 2027.
“The President has directed the recall of the previous leadership to ensure continuity,” Onanuga noted, signalling an intent to restore stability at the state-owned broadcaster.
This reversal is not an isolated incident. Since assuming office in May 2023, the Tinubu administration has repeatedly backtracked on high-profile appointments, often citing administrative errors, political pressures, or undisclosed reasons.
In August 2023, Maryam Shetty’s nomination as a minister was withdrawn as she arrived for Senate screening. Her name was replaced with Mariya Mahmoud’s, a decision attributed to internal All Progressives Congress (APC) dynamics.
The abrupt change, which lacked a detailed explanation, drew significant attention online and raised questions about the vetting process.
In September 2023, the presidency replaced the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) nominees for Cross River and Ondo states. Asi Okang was swapped for Orok Duke in Cross River, and Victor Akinjo was replaced by Otito Atikase in Ondo, a day after their initial appointments.
The changes followed protests from local APC stakeholders, highlighting the administration’s responsiveness to regional pressures but also its susceptibility to rapid reversals.
In October 2023, Kashim Imam’s appointment as chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) board was rescinded within a week.
The presidency offered no clear explanation, stating only that other FERMA appointments remained unaffected. The lack of transparency fueled speculation about internal administrative lapses.
In December 2023, Adepoju Olawuyi’s nomination as a commissioner in the National Population Commission (NPC) was withdrawn after concerns about his qualifications surfaced.
The presidency quietly replaced him, but the incident added to growing questions about the thoroughness of the appointment process.
In March 2024, Ruby Onwudiwe’s nomination to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) board was rescinded two days after being forwarded to the Senate. The reversal followed objections from APC members over her political affiliations, underscoring the influence of party politics on administrative decisions.
In June 2024, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke’s appointment as Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority was reversed following public outcry over his non-indigenous status.
The presidency replaced him with a candidate from the region, citing the need for local representation.
In August 2025, Muheeba Dankaka’s reappointment as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for a second five-year term was announced and then overturned within hours. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, a former House of Representatives member, replaced Dankaka, with the presidency citing controversies during her tenure.
The swift change caused confusion, exemplified by the Emir of Ilorin’s premature congratulatory message to Dankaka. These repeated reversals have prompted concerns about the administration’s decision-making framework.
As Dembos and Adewuyi resume their roles, the Tinubu administration faces the challenge of addressing perceptions of inconsistency.
With Nigeria navigating complex economic and political issues, the public is watching to see if the presidency can refine its processes to ensure stability and trust in its leadership decisions. For now, the NTA reversal adds another chapter to an ongoing pattern of administrative adjustments.