Fela Durotoye, a prominent Nigerian public speaker, has revealed that he worked in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for six months without receiving any salary or allowances. Durotoye, who was appointed as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Values and Social Justice in October 2023, confirmed that his tenure ended in March 2024.
Durotoye’s disclosure comes amid growing public scrutiny following the appointment of multiple media aides by President Tinubu, including Daniel Bwala, who was named Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media. The appointment has generated significant conversation on social media, with many questioning the necessity of such a large team.
A 13-person list of media aides, which circulated online, included Durotoye’s name, prompting him to clarify his actual role in the administration. In an opinion piece published on Monday, Durotoye addressed the confusion, stating, “Like many other issues in public discourse, social commentary often has the tendency to overgeneralize. Broad assumptions may sometimes lead to errors of misconceptions, misstatements, and misinformation.”
He further explained that his role as Senior Special Assistant was temporary and ended in March 2024, clarifying that he had never been part of the media team. “I was not appointed as a media aide,” he clarified. “My appointment was focused on national values and social justice, a role that was separate from the communication or media functions of the presidency.”
In the same statement, Durotoye emphasized his decision to serve without pay, revealing that when he accepted the role in October 2023, he made it clear that he would not take any salary or allowances. “When I finally accepted the role, it was on the condition that I would not receive any salary or allowances,” Durotoye explained. He further stated that he bore all the costs of his personal living expenses, including rent, utilities, and fuel, without seeking reimbursement from the government.
His decision to serve without compensation has sparked a mix of reactions online. Some Nigerians have praised Durotoye for his altruism and commitment to public service, while others have questioned the brevity of his tenure and the rationale behind his unpaid role. One critic noted, “It’s admirable that he worked without pay, but why such a short time in office?”
Despite the varied reactions, Durotoye remains firm in his belief that his short tenure was a personal choice driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the administration without the constraints of financial compensation. “My focus was always on the work itself, not the remuneration,” he concluded, portraying his dedication to the cause of national values and social justice.
