President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ms. Rinsola Abiola, daughter of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, as Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC). The move has sparked debate over the administration’s pattern of political appointments.
The announcement, made on Monday by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, described Ms. Abiola as an expert in strategic communication and government relations who previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President. She will lead the Abuja-based institution responsible for fostering leadership, patriotism, and civic responsibility.
MKO Abiola, her late father, is remembered as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election and a key figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement.
Also appointed is Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji as Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership. According to the statement, he had served as Special Adviser on Mobilisation to the Governor of Kano State and as a member of the Coordinated Arewa Youth Groups governing council, and is known for championing women and youth empowerment.
In the same vein, President Tinubu also Dr Muheeba Dankaka as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for a second five-year term.
Critics accuse the Tinubu administration of favouring political allies and relatives of influential figures in key appointments, but the Presidency insists that its decisions are based on competence.
