Tinubu reverses new NTA appointments, recalls sacked executives

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn the recently announced management changes at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

He reinstated Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, Director-General; and Ayo Adewuyi, Executive Director of News Ayo Adewuyi to complete their tenures.

The reversal was confirmed on Tuesday in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

Tinubu had earlier reshuffled the leadership of the state broadcaster, appointing veteran media executive Rotimi Richard Pedro as the new Director-General.

Other appointments included Karimah Bello from Katsina as Executive Director of Marketing, Stella Din from Plateau as Executive Director of News, and Sophia Issa Mohammed from Adamawa as Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited.

But in a surprise U-turn, the President directed that the earlier changes be set aside.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the recall of Mr Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), who briefly vacated the post following some management changes in the agency,” Onanuga said.

He added that Dembos, appointed in October 2023, would return to complete his three-year tenure. Similarly, Adewuyi, who was appointed in 2024, will remain in office until his term ends in 2027.

“The new directive sets aside earlier appointments made to fill the positions of director-general, executive director of news, executive director of marketing, and managing director of NTA Enterprises,” Onanuga stated.