Biography of Ibrahim Gambari Nigeria New Chief Of Staff

Ibrahim Gambari Chosen as President Buhari’s New Chief of Staff

President Muhammadu Buhari has named Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, a diplomat who once served as Secretary-General of the United Nations, as the new Chief of Staff in his administration.

A global citizen and a professor of repute, the 79-year-old from Kwara State held the External Affairs portfolio between 1984 and 1985. He takes over from the late Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff whose death was caused by Coronavirus.

His full name is Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, and he was born on November 24, 1944, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. He is a scholar and diplomat from Nigeria.

Among his assignments at the world body was the post of Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, and the African Union Commission’s chairperson appointed him to the role, which began on January 1, 2010. He currently serves the UN Secretary-General as Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues.

Earlier in his UN career, he was Under-Secretary-General (USG) of the United Nations for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA). He was named to the job on June 10, 2005, and began it on July 1 that year.

On March 4, 2013, AbdulFatah Ahmad, governor of Kwara State, named him pioneer chancellor of Kwara State University, placing him at the ceremonial head of the institution. In that capacity he presides over convocations at which degrees and diplomas are awarded, and champions the university’s vision and mission across the board, fundraising and its social, economic and academic objectives included.

The institution, which is still earning recognition as a community development university of world class standards, was expected to gain an added international boost and recognition from the choice of Gambari. He likewise serves as co-chair of the Albright-Gambari Commission.