Tinubu: Renews NTA, NAN DGs' Tenures for Three More Years

• President Bola Tinubu renewed the three-year tenures of Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos as NTA Director-General and Ali Mohammed Ali as NAN Managing Director.
• The extensions were announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, and will commence on October 20, 2026.
• Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos is a former union president and long-serving NTA executive who joined the organization in 1989.
• Ali Mohammed Ali is a veteran journalist with over 30 years of experience and holds multiple degrees, including a graduate degree in International Affairs.
• President Tinubu urged both executives to uphold their organizational mandates and promote the government's "Renewed Hope Agenda."

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the continued leadership of two key state-owned media organizations, renewing the tenures of Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos as Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Ali Mohammed Ali as Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the continued leadership of two key state-owned media organizations, renewing the tenures of Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos as Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Ali Mohammed Ali as Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). This significant administrative move, announced on Sunday, grants both executives an additional three-year term. The decision underscores the President's commitment to the current leadership within these vital communication channels.

The announcement regarding the Tinubu renews NTA NAN DGs tenure was formally communicated through a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Titled ‘President Tinubu Renews the Tenure of DG NTA, MD NAN,’ the statement provided official confirmation of the extensions. These renewals ensure stability and continuity at the helm of the nation's primary television broadcaster and its official news wire service.

Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos, whose leadership at the Nigerian Television Authority appointment has been reaffirmed, brings a wealth of experience to his role. Hailing from Yola, Adamawa State, Dembos is a former National President of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union. His extensive career within the NTA began in 1989 as an announcer at the Kaduna station, following his National Youth Service. He steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as General Manager for NTA Lokoja and NTA Kano, eventually retiring in 2017 as the Acting Zonal Director of the NTA Kaduna Network Centre. Post-retirement, he held the position of Executive Director of Marketing at the NTA before his initial appointment as Director-General.

Similarly, Ali Mohammed Ali, whose News Agency of Nigeria appointment has been extended, is a highly experienced media professional. Described as a veteran journalist and media manager, Ali boasts over three decades of experience in the field. His academic background includes a first degree in English from Bayero University, Kano, a graduate degree in International Affairs from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communications, also from Bayero University, Kano. Ali is particularly noted for his keen interest in the evolution of media and the development of content within the digital landscape, a crucial area for the future of the News Agency of Nigeria.

The presidential directive confirms that the new three-year terms for both Dembos and Ali will officially commence on October 20, 2026. This date marks the expiration of their initial three-year appointments, which President Tinubu first made on October 20, 2023. The forward-looking nature of these Presidential appointments Nigeria media signals a clear direction for the country's state-owned media institutions.

In renewing their tenures, President Tinubu conveyed a direct message to both chief executives. He urged them to continue demonstrating unwavering commitment to the mandates of their respective organizations. Furthermore, the President emphasized the critical role they play in promoting the government's "Renewed Hope Agenda," indicating that their leadership is expected to align with and support national objectives. This charge highlights the administration's reliance on these media outlets to disseminate its vision and policies effectively.

The decision to extend the leadership of both the NTA and NAN provides a clear path for continuity in the strategic direction and operational management of these key government-owned media entities. By confirming their second terms well in advance, the administration ensures a stable transition and allows the executives to plan for the long term without immediate concerns about leadership changes.

The effective date of October 20, 2026, reinforces that this is a proactive measure, securing leadership for the period immediately following their current term. This move is intended to foster consistent progress and the sustained implementation of their organizational objectives, as well as the broader governmental agenda.

This article, detailing the renewal of administrative appointments within state-owned media, does not present a direct, actionable legal or compliance implication for lawyers or compliance officers. It is primarily an administrative news item.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH