When President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, he began making key appointments across federal boards and agencies.
Several of these announcements were celebrated as fresh starts, but a series of quick reversals soon followed.
Some appointees held their positions for only days, while others never got to resume before their names were withdrawn.
In October 2023, Ibrahim Kashim Imam, then 24 years old, was announced as chairperson of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
Two days later, the presidency reversed the appointment without providing reasons, leaving the agency in uncertainty.
At the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Idris Olorunnimbe was appointed chairman in March 2024.
By July, he was replaced with former Nasarawa governor, Tanko Al-Makura, only to be moved to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) a month later.
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) also witnessed a dramatic turnaround in August 2025.
Muheeba Dankaka was reappointed as chairperson for a second five-year term, but her name was withdrawn within 24 hours.
Ayo Omidiran, a former member of the house of representatives, was announced as her replacement.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) saw its own reversal in 2024.
Asu Okang, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, was appointed to the board but was quickly replaced with Orok Otuk Duke after party protests.
Similarly, Victor Akinjo’s nomination to the NDDC board was withdrawn, and Otito Atikase was confirmed in his place.
At the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ruby Onwudiwe was nominated to the board in March 2024.
Her appointment was later stepped down after concerns about her open support for the Labour Party, and Melvin Ayogu was confirmed instead.
In the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), two nominees faced reversals in March 2024.
Mohammad Ngoshe of Borno and Owede Kosioma Eli of Bayelsa were initially appointed as resident electoral commissioners.
Six days later, their names were withdrawn, and Umar Mukhtar and Johnson Alalibo Silnikiem were confirmed in their places.
One of the earliest cases involved Maryam Shetty in August 2023.
She was among the ministerial nominees submitted to the senate but was replaced with Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure on the very day she arrived for screening.
In August 2025, the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) recorded one of the most recent reversals.
Rotimi Pedro was appointed director-general, alongside Stella Din-Jacob as executive director of news and Karimah Bello as executive director of marketing.
Barely two weeks later, their appointments were revoked, and the previous management was returned.
These repeated changes have placed federal agencies in cycles of instability.
Leaders who are expected to guide policy and direction are often replaced before they settle into their roles.
Staff and operations are left in uncertainty when new management is announced and later reversed.
From FERMA to NTA, the trail of rollbacks has become a recurring feature of the current administration.
The frequency of these changes raises questions about decision-making and its effect on governance.
Public agencies depend on continuity and stable leadership to function effectively.
With appointments being announced and reversed in quick succession, long-term planning and service delivery risk being disrupted.
As the presidency continues its tenure, the implications of these reversals for governance and public confidence remain unfolding.
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