In a surprise move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the recall of Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Ayo Adewuyi, the Executive Director of News. According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Dembos and Adewuyi will return to their positions to complete their three-year tenures.

The decision reverses the recent appointments of new management staff for the NTA, which included Rotimi Richard Pedro as Director-General, Karimah Bello as Executive Director, Marketing, Stella Din as Executive Director, News, and Sophia Issa Mohammed as Managing Director, NTA Enterprises Limited. The new directive takes immediate effect, effectively canceling the fresh appointments.

Dembos, who was appointed DG in October 2023, and Adewuyi, who was appointed Executive Director of News in 2024, will now resume their positions. Dembos’ tenure will continue until its scheduled end, while Adewuyi’s tenure is set to end in 2027.

The reversal of the appointments has raised questions about the reasons behind the sudden change of heart by the President. The initial appointments were aimed at strengthening national broadcasting, but the recall of Dembos and Adewuyi suggests a possible rethink of the strategy.