A retired diplomat, Ibrahim Gambari, has been appointed Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, according to presidential sources and the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Though his appointment has not been officially announced by the president.

Mr Gambari, 75, who was the first United Nation’s Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa, is said to be “awaiting an official letter of confirmation” as the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, according to multiple sources.

Meanwhile a statement by Abdulazeez Arowona, the Ilorin emir confirmed Gambari’s appointment, the statement thanked President Muhammadu Buhari “for appointing Professor Ibrahim Gambari as his new Chief of Staff.”

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The emir described the appointment as a “great honour to the entire people of Ilorin Emirate and Kwarans at large.”

He further said “we are awaiting the official letter of confirmation,” after confirming his principal had been notified.

Mr Gambari, from Kwara State, north-central Nigeria, is replacing Abba Kyari, who died, aged 67, last month following COVID-19 complications.

WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the new Chief of Staff will resume work at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.

Gambari, as foreign minister, played a key role in quelling the diplomatic uproar generated by the failed attempt to kidnap Mallam Umaru Dikko from UK by the Buhari military government.

A scholar and seasoned diplomat, Gambari served as minister of External Affairs between 1984 and 1985. He was appointed by former United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon and the chairperson of the African Union Commission as Joint African Union-United Nations Special Representative for Darfur in 2010.

He also served as Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Issues for the UN Secretary General. Prior to that, he served as Under-Secretary General of the United Nation for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA).

The new chief of Staff, an Ilorin prince, was born on November 24, 1944.