By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Jamiu Abiola “, son of late business mogul, MKO Abiola, to a new role, designating him as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.
Jamiu was earlier appointed as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice-President.
The New Diplomat reports that Jamiu is one of the children of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, aka MKO Abiola, evident winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida.
His appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by
Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen.
Imohiosen said that Jamiu’s appointment was effective from November 14, 2024.
Imohiosen said his appointment was in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.
The statement reads in part: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.
“The appointment takes effect from 14th November, 2024. This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.
“Until his appointment, Jami’u served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.
“President Tinubu tasks the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.”
The New Diplomat reports that Jamiu Abiola holds postgraduate certificates from New York University with a specialization in translating Arabic, French, Spanish and German languages into English.
Aside from these languages, Abiola is also fluent in French, Portuguese, Yoruba, Hausa, Japanese, Igbo, Fulani and Kanuri languages.
He had previously been engaged by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on freelance, to translate documents from French into English and to draft summary reports during conferences and council sessions.
