Ajuri Ngelale Resigns as Tinubu’s Spokesman

Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, has officially resigned from his role, effective immediately. In a statement issued by the Presidency on Saturday, Ngelale explained that he had submitted a memo to Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his decision to take an indefinite leave of absence due to pressing family medical issues.

Ngelale also stepped down from his positions as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen. According to Ngelale, this decision was made after significant consultations with his family regarding an ongoing medical situation.

The statement read: “On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff informing him that I am taking an indefinite leave of absence to address medical concerns affecting my immediate nuclear family.

“While I understand that the nation’s duties cannot be delayed, this difficult decision — stepping down from my roles as Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was made in light of the deteriorating situation at home.”

Ngelale expressed his hopes of returning to national service when the situation improves while asking for privacy for his family during this challenging time.

Appointed as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu on August 1, 2023, Ngelale’s appointment became effective on July 31, 2023, as per a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. His term was expected to last the duration of the administration unless otherwise directed by the President.

In May 2024, Ngelale was appointed as the first Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action by President Tinubu. He also served as the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen and Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.

Born on November 13, 1986, in Platteville, Wisconsin, USA, Ngelale has a diverse background, with a Nigerian father from Eleme, Rivers State, and a German-American mother. He is a respected Nigerian broadcast journalist, having worked as a senior reporter and presenter at Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television.

Between 2019 and 2023, he served as Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs to President Muhammadu Buhari and was a co-principal spokesperson for the Bola Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections.