BREAKING: Ajuri Ngelale Quits as Head of Presidential Communications Team

Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has resigned from his position effective immediately. The announcement was made in an official statement issued by the Presidency on Saturday.

In his statement, Ngelale disclosed that he had submitted a formal memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, notifying him of his decision to take an indefinite leave of absence. This decision also includes stepping down from his other significant roles as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

Ngelale explained that the decision to step down from his duties was driven by the need to address urgent medical concerns affecting his immediate family.

The statement read: “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.”

Ngelale further expressed his hope of returning to his role when circumstances improve. “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 me during this time,” he added.

Ngelale’s departure marks a significant shift in the media and publicity operations of President Tinubu’s administration, given his critical role as the official spokesperson and a key figure in climate action efforts. His indefinite leave of absence comes at a time when the government is actively navigating both domestic and international policy challenges, underscoring the importance of stable communication channels and strategic messaging from the Presidency.