Questions About Chief Of Staff, Functions And Responsibilities In 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. They also have responsibility for the official programme and correspondence of the President. Through these roles the position wields considerable influence. The Chief of Staff is appointed by the President and does not require confirmation from the Nigerian Senate.

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.

What makes a successful chief of staff?

Becoming a chief of staff

Those above characteristics are one, business and functional acumen, and what this means is really understanding how the business works, the strategy, the mission, the vision, and how all the functions across the organization come together to achieve those goals.

Is chief of staff an executive position?

“The chief of staff role is an intensely personal one. This is a position scoped for the CEO, and it has elements of both an executive assistant and a COO. Like a COO, a CoS works on strategic and critical items, working with employees as well as customers and board members.

Why is the chief of staff an important asset to the president?

Why is the chief of staff an important asset to the president? Senior aid to the President, highest executive office. Has major influence and access to the President. Responsible for providing support and information to the national and global media with everything to do with the president.

CoS History In Nigeria

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 presidency, Jonathan appointed Mike Oghiadomhe as his chief of staff, and General Aliyu Gusau as his National Security Adviser. In February 2014, Oghiadomhe resigned from the position and was replaced by a military 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. 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. In a leaked memo, Kyari was accused by Babagana Monguno the National Security Advisor of hijacking his role of co-ordinating national security. In March 2020, Kyari tested positive for COVID-19, and later died on 17 April 2020.

Curated By Weyinmi Grace
Correspondent
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