President Bola Tinubu has reversed the recent leadership changes at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), reinstating Salihu Dembos as director-general. The decision comes after the president had earlier approved the appointment of Rotimi Pedro as the new director-general, a move that created confusion within the organization and among its supervising authorities.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who oversees the NTA, was reportedly unaware of the changes until he read about them in the media. This embarrassment prompted him to seek an audience with President Tinubu to raise his concerns about the manner in which the changes were effected. Idris also requested permission to investigate the situation at the NTA, particularly the allegations that led to the leadership changes.

According to sources, a special assistant to the president with experience in the broadcast industry had directly influenced the appointments, sidelining the information minister. The aide allegedly told the president that the NTA leadership was incompetent and that the broadcaster was failing in its duty to properly project government programs and activities. However, the minister’s findings showed that these allegations were “spurious” and had been “fabricated by interest groups to facilitate the capture of the agency.”

Following the minister’s report, President Tinubu ordered the reversal of the appointments, directing that the previously sacked officials be reinstated. This decision effectively cancelled the appointments of Mr. Pedro and three other senior executives. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the decision, stating that Dembos would return to complete his three-year tenure as director-general, while Ayo Adewuyi, the Executive Director of News, would also be recalled to complete his tenure.

The Nigerian Television Authority is the country’s public broadcaster and one of Africa’s largest television networks, with stations spread across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Established in 1977, the NTA was created to serve as a national voice and promote unity through broadcasting. Despite facing challenges such as dwindling viewership and criticism for functioning largely as a government mouthpiece, the NTA remains an influential institution, being the official channel for broadcasting presidential and state events.

The reversal of the leadership changes at the NTA highlights the importance of proper procedure and communication in government decision-making. The incident also underscores the need for the NTA to adapt to the changing media landscape and address concerns about its relevance and independence. As the NTA moves forward under the reinstated leadership, it is likely to face continued scrutiny and expectations to improve its performance and serve the public interest.