The rampaging Coronavirus in the world has claimed its first high profile victim in Nigeria, the Chief of Staff (COS) of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari Friday 17th April, 2020.

The Presidency made the announcement in a press statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Femi Adesina saying, “The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari. The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020. May God accept his soul. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly."

 Kyari was said to have contracted the disease when he travelled to Germany in early March with a delegation of other Nigerian officials for meetings with Siemens AG.

On his return from Germany on 14th March, he participated in several state functions and unofficial engagements with prominent personalities including the Vice President, some governors and some Ministers of the Federal Republic.

When tested positive of the virus, Kyari was receiving treatment at Gwagwalada Hospital in Abuja, and was later taken to Lagos for proper attention. However his location in Lagos was concealed with reports having it that the Lagos Commissioner of Health was not in the know of Kyari's treatment in the state.

Hope of his recovery was getting high when a letter written by him was made public. In the letter Kyari claimed that his treatment was made on his personal arrangement. He said, “I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation.

“This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the protocols government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.
“I have made my own care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system, which faces so many pressures. Like many others that will test also positive, I have not experienced high fever or other symptoms associated with this new virus and have been working from home. I hope to be back at my desk very soon.

“I have a team of young, professional, knowledgeable and patriotic colleagues, whose dedication has been beyond the call of duty, who continue to work seven days a week, with no time of the day spared. We will continue to serve the President and people of Nigeria, as we have for the past five years.”

Prior to the Covid-19 infection, Kyari, who was in his 70s, had underlying health problems including diabetes.
Before his death, Abba Kyari was very influential in President Muhammadu Buhari led administration. He was appointed COS in August 2015.

During PMB's first term, Kyari worked mainly behind the scenes to implement the president's agenda.

In 2019 with Buhari's re-election for a second term, he ordered his cabinet to channel all requests through Kyari's office. Further enhancing his influence within government circles, and was labelled as de facto head of government.

Kyari had running battles with some cabinet members of the Buhari administration. In 2017, following a leaked memo, Kyari became embroiled in a public argument with the Head of Civil Service, Ita Oyo. In 2020, in another leaked memo, Babagana Monguno the National Security Adviser accused Kyari of meddling in matters of national security.

Kyari was Kanuri from Borno State, graduate of Warwick University with bachelor's degree in sociology. He also received a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cambridge.
In 1983, he was called to the Nigerian Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School.

In 1984, he obtained a master's degree in law from the University of Cambridge. He later attended the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland and participated in the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School, in 1992 and 1994, respectively.
Kyari was married to the sister-in-law of Ibrahim Tahir and had four children.

Kyari worked for the law firm Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo for some time after his return to Nigeria.

From 1988 to 1990, he was Editor with the New Africa Holdings Limited Kaduna.
In 1990, he served as a Commissioner for Forestry and Animal Resources in Borno State.
From 1990 to 1995, Kyari was the secretary to the board of African International Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

Kyari was an executive director in charge of management services at the United Bank for Africa, and was later appointed the chief executive officer. In 2002, he was appointed a board director of Unilever Nigeria, and later served on the board of Exxon Mobil Nigeria.