Why Tinubu reversed NTA leadership appointments

Facts have emerged on why President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday cancelled recent leadership changes at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and reinstated the agency’s former executives.

The president had earlier approved the appointment of Rotimi Pedro as the new director-general of NTA, replacing Salihu Dembos, alongside three other top-level changes. But the move was abruptly reversed following controversies surrounding how the appointments were made.

According to presidency sources, the changes sparked confusion within the organisation and its supervising ministry after Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who oversees NTA, was not informed before the announcement.

Mr Idris reportedly learned of the reshuffle through media reports, even as Dembos and other affected officials were part of a federal delegation he was leading on a three-day citizens’ engagement tour in Enugu and Ebonyi States.

It was further learnt that a presidential aide with a background in broadcasting had influenced the new appointments, allegedly telling the president that NTA’s management was incompetent, losing audience share, and failing to adequately project government programmes.

On returning from the South-east tour, Mr Idris met with President Tinubu to raise concerns about the process and sought permission to investigate the allegations against the NTA leadership.

His findings reportedly showed that the claims were unfounded and orchestrated by vested interests seeking to take control of the agency.

After reviewing the minister’s report, President Tinubu directed an immediate reversal of the changes and ordered the reinstatement of Dembos and the other previously sacked executives.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the decision in a statement, noting that Dembos, who was appointed DG in October 2023, would return to complete his three-year tenure.

He added that Ayo Adewuyi, the Executive Director of News appointed in 2024, had also been recalled to complete his term ending in 2027.

The reversal effectively nullified the appointments of a new director-general, executive director of news, executive director of marketing, and managing director of NTA Enterprises.

The NTA, established in 1977, remains one of Africa’s largest television networks with stations across Nigeria.

Once the dominant source of news and entertainment for Nigerians, it has in recent years faced declining viewership and relevance amid competition from private broadcasters and digital platforms.

Despite this, it continues to serve as the government’s official broadcast channel and remains under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.