BREAKING: SGF Mustapha Confirms Prof Gambari’s Appointment As CoS

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has confirmed the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Naija News report that SGF Mustapha announced Gambari’s appointment on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which held virtually.

Prof. Gambari replaces former Chief of Staff, late Abba Kyari who died of coronavirus.

The 75-year-old  Nigerian scholar and diplomat from Kwara State, northcentral Nigeria, was Minister for External Affairs between 1984 and 1985.  He was appointed by the secretary-general of United Nations Ban Ki-moon and the chairperson of the African Union Commission as Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur effective from 1 January 2010.

Before his appointment by President Buhari, Professor Gambari was the Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues for the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Previously, he served as the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (USG) for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA). He was appointed on June 10, 2005, and assumed the post on July 1 of that year.

Gambari was on March 4, 2013, named by the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmad, as the pioneer Chancellor of the Kwara State University, making him the ceremonial head of the university who presides over convocations to award degrees and diplomas and also supports the vision and mission of the university in all respects, including fundraising, social, economic and academic goals.

The new chief of staff is also co-chair of the Albright-Gambari Commission.