The Chief of Staff to the President is the head of the Office of the President of Nigeria. The position was created by presidential order of Olusegun Obasanjo's in 1999. The Chief of Staff is responsible for general management of presidential activity, and has responsibility over the official correspondence of the President. Through these roles the position wields considerable influence. Although, 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. The Chief of Staff is appointed by the President and does not require confirmation from the Nigerian Senate.
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. President Yar'Adua abolished the office, and instead relied on a group of close advisers. Following President Yar'Adua's death, his successor Goodluck Jonathan assumed office as acting president. In a bid to consolidate his nascent presidency, Jonathan appointed his ally Mike Oghiadomhe as Chief of Staff and General Aliyu Gusau as his National Security Adviser. In February 2014, Oghiadomhe resigned from the position and was replaced by General Jones Arogbofa. In 2015, Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election. In August 2015, he appointed Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff. Following President Buhari's first illness and medical vacation, Kyari grew increasingly powerful and increaingly clashed with the Vice PresidentYemi Osinbajo. In 2019, Buhari ordered his cabinet to pass through all government correspondences and requests through Abba Kyari, making him the principal channel of communication between the president and the government. On 17 April 2020, Abba Kyari died of COVID-19. On 13 May 2020, Ibrahim Gambari was appointed as Chief of Staff.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Chief of Staff include, but are not limited to:
selecting key presidential staff and supervising them,
