The chief of staff otherwise called the head of staff is an individual who works behind the president to resolve some key issues before it gets to the executive. The chief of staff stands as a confidant and advisor to the executives. 

The Nigeria chief of staff is a high-ranking office that was created by Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 while he was the president, following the appointment of chief of staff in the United States. The first chief of staff in Nigeria was Abdullahi Muhammed, he served from 29 May 1999 to 2 June 2008. The incumbent chief of staff of the federation is Femi Gbajabiamila, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on 14 June 2023. 

What does the chief of staff do?

The position of the chief of staff is that, is very complex because the chief of staff office has no basic job description, unlike other political appointees that he heads. The duty of the chief of staff is very dynamic and can only be determined by the president himself.

The Nigeria chief of staff mainly acts as a trusted advisor and assistant to the President, ensuring effective coordination and communication between all government departments and agencies. Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Advisor: the COS is expected to be someone who is very initiative with bright ideas to make sure the principal officer succeeds in their office.
• Project Supervisor: the COS monitors some projects that have been undertaken by the president and reports the progress of the project to the President. 
• Moderator: the COS also coordinate meeting with the executive serving as the moderator, because he sits at the same table as the executive.
• Administration: COS oversees the day-to-day operations of the President’s office, ensuring smooth functioning and efficient use of resources. This may involve managing schedules, organizing meetings, and preparing briefings. • Interagency coordination: the COS facilitates collaboration and coordination among different government ministries, departments, and agencies. This involves ensuring information flow, resolving interdepartmental conflicts, and fostering cooperation towards common goals.
• Decision-making support: the COS gathers and analyzes relevant information, conducts research, and provides the President with comprehensive briefings to assist in making informed decisions. This may include reviewing policy proposals, evaluating potential risks and benefits, and recommending courses of action.
• Crisis management: the COS plays a crucial role in coordinating the response efforts across various government agencies. This involves ensuring effective communication, resource allocation, and implementation of contingency plans.
• Stakeholder engagement: the COS serves as a key point of contact for stakeholders both within and outside the government, such as political leaders, business leaders, and civil society organizations. He or she facilitates dialogue, addresses concerns, and fosters positive relationships to promote collaboration and support for government initiatives.

How Much Does the Chief of Staff Earn?

The actual take-home of the chief of staff is anonymous and can only be said for fact by the President with whom he works, because of the dynamic nature of the job of COS. However, he is expected to have access to sufficient funds, and the base salary of the COS is about 799,000 NGN to 2,880,000 NGN. Though the COS is eligible for allowances as the situation may require.