Chief of Staff to the President (Nigeria)

The Chief of Staff to the President is the senior operational member of the Office of the President of Nigeria. The Chief of Staff is the principal channel of communication between the president and the government.[1] They also have responsibility for the official programme and correspondence of the President. Through these roles the position wields considerable influence.[2] The Chief of Staff is appointed by the President and does not require confirmation from the Nigerian Senate.

Chief of Staff to the President
Incumbent
Ibrahim Gambari
since May 13, 2020
The Presidency
Member ofCabinet of Nigeria
Reports toPresident of Nigeria
AppointerPresident of Nigeria
Formation1999
First holderAbdullahi Mohammed
WebsiteOfficial website

History

In May 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Abdullahi Mohammed, previously the National Security Adviser as the first chief of staff to the president, he continued in this role until after the first year of the Umaru Yar'Adua presidency, with his deputy Gbolade Osinowo succeeding him.[3] President Yar'Adua abolished the office, and instead relied on a group of close advisers.[4]

Following President Yar'Adua's death, his successor Goodluck Jonathan assumed office as acting president. In a bid to consolidate his presidency, Jonathan appointed Mike Oghiadomhe as his chief of staff, and General Aliyu Gusau as his National Security Adviser.[5] In February 2014, Oghiadomhe resigned from the position and was replaced by a military general Jones Arogbofa.[6]

In 2015, Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election. In August 2015, he appointed Abba Kyari as chief of staff.[7] Following President Buhari's first illness and medical vacation, Kyari grew increasingly powerful.[8] In 2019, Buhari ordered his cabinet to send all government correspondences and requests through the chief of staff, further increasinging his role as the de facto head of government.[9] In a leaked memo, Kyari was accused by Babagana Monguno the National Security Advisor of hijacking his role of co-ordinating national security.[10] In March 2020, Kyari tested positive for COVID-19, and later died on 17 April 2020.[11]

Functions

The functions of the Chief of Staff varies from administration to administration; and depends, not only on the qualities of the person appointed to the position, but also on the style and management philosophy of the incumbent President.

Responsibilities of the Chief of Staff include, but are not limited to; selecting key presidential staff and supervising them, structuring the staff system, controlling the flow of people to Aso Villa, managing the flow of information, protecting the interests of the president, negotiating with the National Assembly and other branches of government to implement the president's agenda; and advising the president on various issues, including telling the president what they do not want to hear.[12]

List of Chief's of Staff (1999–present)
No. Name Term of office[13] President(s) served under
Start End
1 Abdullahi Mohammed 29 May 1999 2 June 2008 Olusegun Obasanjo

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua

2 Gbolade Osinowo 2 June 2008 18 September 2008
Position abolished 18 September 2008 – 17 May 2010[3]
3 Mike Oghiadomhe 17 May 2010 10 February 2014 Goodluck Jonathan
Vacant 10 February 2014 – 18 February 2014
4 Jones Arogbofa[14] 18 February 2014 29 May 2015
Vacant 29 May 2015 – 27 August 2015 Muhammadu Buhari
5 Abba Kyari 27 August 2015 17 April 2020
6 Ibrahim Gambari 13 May 2020 present

See also

References
  1. Adedigba, Azeezat (2019-08-20). "Pass all requests for meetings with me through Abba Kyari, Buhari tells ministers - Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  2. Teniola, Eric. "The power of the office of chief of staff". The Guardian.
  3. Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja (2008-08-18). "Yar'Adua removes Osinowo, scraps Chief of Staff office". OnlineNigeria.com. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  4. Burgis, Tom (6 May 2010). "Reformist restrained by 'cabal' capitalising on his frailty". Financial Times.
  5. "Gusau, protector of power who may yet wear the crown". 2012-03-12. Archived from the original on 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  6. "Why Arogbofa Became Jonathan's Chief Of Staff, By Eric Teniola - Premium Times Nigeria". 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  7. "Buhari appoints Lawal as SGF, Kyari as CoS". The Guardian.
  8. Silas Okereke (20 July 2019). "Abba Kyari's rendezvous with history". guardian.ng. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  9. Adedigba, Azeezat (2019-08-20). "Pass all requests for meetings with me through Abba Kyari, Buhari tells ministers - Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  10. Ogundipe, Samuel (2020-02-17). "UPDATED: EXCLUSIVE: Buhari's team in disarray as NSA Monguno declares war on Abba Kyari". Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  11. editor (2020-04-18). "Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President, is Dead". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2020-04-18.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  12. "Office of the President". The Statehouse, Abuja. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  13. "Gatekeepers: Men who managed Nigeria's presidents from 1999 till date". The ICIR. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  14. "Retired General Jones Arogbofa Is President's New Chief of Staff". The ICIR. 2014-02-18. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
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