Femi Gbajabiamila: A specimen of loyalty and gentility — by Femi Fani-Kayode & Reno Omokri

Let us start by saying that we have both worked in the Presidency twice, and it is our informed opinion that hardly any Chief of Staff to the President has been as effective as Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

From our experience and vantage points, what does effectiveness as a Chief of Staff to a President look like?

The answer is that it involves managing the day-to-day affairs around the President and facilitating the executive function of the Commander-in-Chief, so that the Principal can focus on leadership rather than management.

And over the last three years, this has been done brilliantly. Which, perhaps, explains why President Bola Tinubu publicly expressed his confidence in his Chief of Staff.

Gbajabiamila has used access to process progress for the President, his party, and the nation. It is why multiple Governors from various parties, different geopolitical zones, and diverse cultural backgrounds have publicly testified to the efficacy and impact of the Chief of Staff.

Let’s take some samples:

The Delta State Governor, the Right Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori, himself a former Speaker, like Mr Gbajabiamila, described the CoS as a “seasoned administrator.”

The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, depicted the Chief of Staff to the President as a “patriot” who brought ‘immense legal and political acumen to the Presidency.’

While the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, a member of the opposition, portrayed him as an “exceptional administrator”.

In terms of organisational prowess, he is at a near-genius level. And this may have to do with his experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives for four years.

And his impeccable people skills are why 2019-2023 was the most rancour-free period in the House of Representatives, and why 2023 to date is the ONLY period in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic without Executive/Legislative tension.

His ability to look beyond his own interests to project, protect, reflect and advance the President’s interests is commendably legendary. Even with his busy schedule, he has still found time to use his social media presence and relationship network to highlight the positive work the Tinubu administration has done. Not done. Has done.

That is a first for a Chief of Staff in this clime.

And if you have ever studied media and communications professionally, as I have, you will know that effective branding involves projecting positive things that are already happening. A government is most complimented when it displays what has been implemented, not what is being contemplated.

He is a Muslim, and a practising and quite pious Mu’min. Yet, on Easter 2026, he, together with his family, came together for Easter Lunch, putting to shame those who said the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima was for the purpose of Islamising Nigeria!

And that is why it pains me that anyone would try to use mischief to bring down this chief. And this is why we say that our support for him is solid. Those who know, know that Nigeria is better because of your service to the Commander-in-Chief.

Carry on the good job. Be encouraged. Your presence in the present is excellent, and you are very much appreciated.

• Fani-Kayode, Ambassador Designate to South Africa and Omokri, Ambassador-Designate to Mexico.