President Tinubu recalls NTA DG Salihu Dembos and ED News Ayo Adewuyi, reversing recent appointments and restoring the previous leadership.
In a surprising development at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the recall of Mr. Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, the agency’s Director-General, just weeks after announcing a major leadership reshuffle.
The move also affects Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, the Executive Director of News, who has been reinstated to complete his tenure.
The directive was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, the President’s decision aims to ensure continuity in the leadership of the nation’s foremost state-owned broadcaster.
Mr. Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, originally appointed as NTA Director-General in October 2023, had briefly vacated his post following the previous management restructuring.
With the latest recall, he is now set to resume his duties and complete his constitutionally mandated three-year term.
Similarly, Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, who was appointed Executive Director of News in 2024, has been directed to continue in his role until his term ends in 2027.
Both appointments signal President Tinubu’s commitment to stability and continuity in the leadership of the state broadcaster.
The latest directive effectively cancels the recent appointments of a new Director-General, Executive Director of News, Executive Director of Marketing, and Managing Director of NTA Enterprises, which were part of a broader effort to revamp the organization.
This reversal underscores the fluidity in the leadership decisions within the NTA and the need for careful management of critical media institutions.
Weeks ago, IREPORT247NEWS reported that President Tinubu had approved a major leadership reshuffle at NTA.
Under that plan, Rotimi Richard Pedro, a seasoned media executive, was appointed as the new Director-General of the broadcaster.
Karimah Bello was named Executive Director of Marketing, Stella Din appointed Executive Director of News, while Sophia Essahmed was assigned the role of Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited.
The initial reshuffle was widely seen as an ambitious attempt to inject fresh energy into the agency and drive reforms that would modernize operations, enhance content delivery, and strengthen NTA’s position in the competitive media landscape.
Tinubu Appoints Rotimi Pedro as NTA DG
Despite the reversal of the earlier appointments, President Tinubu reiterated the importance of collaboration and professionalism within the NTA management.
He emphasized that the agency should prioritize public service broadcasting, adopt modern technologies, and produce content that reflects Nigeria’s cultural, social, and political diversity.
According to the statement, the recalled management team, including Dembos and Adewuyi, is expected to spearhead initiatives that reposition NTA as a modern, efficient, and globally competitive broadcaster.
The recall has sparked a strong reaction among Nigerians, especially on social media. Many expressed confusion and dissatisfaction over the seemingly contradictory appointments and reversals.
Commentators and media observers criticized the government’s actions as inconsistent, describing the decision as indicative of “a confused administration” grappling with strategic direction.
Nigerians argued that the abrupt reversal could affect staff morale within NTA and create uncertainty for the organization’s future projects.
