In a significant development from the Presidential Villa, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has announced that he will be taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus on urgent personal medical matters.
In an official statement, Ngelale disclosed that he has already informed the Presidency of his decision, submitting a formal memo to the Chief of Staff to the President on Friday. He explained, “I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.”
Chief Ngelale, who also holds the positions of Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, admitted that the decision to step aside was not an easy one. “While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days. A vexatious medical situation has worsened at home, demanding my immediate attention,” he stated.
He went on to express his hope to return to his duties once circumstances permit, saying, “I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.”
In conclusion, Chief Ngelale requested privacy for his family during this challenging period. “I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time,” he appealed.
Ngelale’s departure comes at a critical time, given his central role in managing the administration’s media and communications strategies, as well as spearheading key initiatives such as climate action efforts. His absence is expected to create a temporary vacuum in the presidency’s communications team, though no official word has been released regarding a potential interim replacement.
The nation’s attention now shifts to how this sudden development will impact the presidential media office, while many wish Chief Ngelale and his family strength and healing in the coming days.
