Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Professor Gambari as his new chief of staff, secretary to the government said on Wednesday.
“President @MBuhari has appointed Professor Ibrahim Gambari, as his Chief of Staff, Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced the appointment today at the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting,” Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant on New Media to President Buhari, tweeted.
Prof. Gambari was Nigeria’s minister for external affairs during Buhari’s military regime from 1984 to 1985, and later became an under-secretary-general at the United Nations.
He replaces Abba Kyari, who died last month after contracting the coronavirus and was one of the most powerful men in Nigeria, acting as a gatekeeper to the president.
Prof. Gambari was screened on arrival for COVID-19, including having his temperature checked and using a hand sanitiser before he was ushered into the main building.