Gatekeepers turned gatecrashers: Unseen dangers of personal aides

Aaron Anthony ( YolyBoy ), Entertainment & Society Editor

In politics, business, and society at large, the role of personal assistants, chief press secretaries, and close aides has always been critical.

They are the gatekeepers, the eyes and ears of their principals, and often the first point of contact for those seeking access to powerful individuals.

At their best, they protect, organize, and amplify the success of the people they serve.

But when this power is abused, they can become unseen threats – damaging reputations, obstructing progress, and driving away opportunities their principals never even knew existed.

The Real Job of a PA or Press Secretary and close aides

A Personal Assistant (PA) is meant to support daily operations – managing calls, scheduling meetings, preparing briefings, and ensuring smooth communication between the principal and the public or partners.

A chief press secretary (CPS) handles media relations, crafting public statements, managing press access, and shaping public perception through responsible communication. In essence, these roles are about building access, not controlling it.

When Support Becomes Business
Disturbingly, across Nigeria and beyond, many aides have turned these responsibilities into personal businesses.

They demand money before introducing someone to their boss. They block access to journalists, media professionals, consultants, and even well-meaning supporters – unless there’s something in it for them.

What was meant to be a support system has quietly become a toll gate, and the worst part is the principal often has no idea this is happening behind the scenes.

Many of these aides are already salaried, respected, and trusted. Yet they tarnish the image of the very people who pay them, simply because of side deals and “sorting.”

Yes, it’s fair for aides to block toxic people or time-wasters. That’s part of their job. But when even press professionals, media houses, goodwill ambassadors, and partners with pure intentions are turned away because they can’t “pay to see the boss,” something has gone very wrong.

Too many careers, collaborations, and progressive ideas have died at the door – not because the leader said no, but because their gatekeepers said nothing at all.

A Wake-Up Call to the Powerful
To every politician, public figure, or prominent voice in Nigeria reading this:
Look inward & watch your circle.
Not everyone around you is for you. Some are only for themselves.

Your image in the public eye, your
connection to the grassroots, your next big opportunity may be blocked by someone you hired to build it, and this is not just about loyalty but about strategy, wisdom, and self-preservation.

What Needs to Be Done
1. Hire wisely.
Don’t just appoint based on familiarity. Look for intelligence, emotional maturity, and public communication skills.
2. Train your aides.
Help them understand the weight of their role and how it reflects on you.
3. Conduct regular feedback loops.
Ask journalists, youth groups, and public stakeholders how accessible or difficult your media and PA team is.
4. Set boundaries.
Make it clear: your image is your future, and anyone working for you must act in your interest, not theirs.

Sometimes, the enemy at the gate is not the one trying to enter – it’s the one holding the keys, so as Nigeria evolves, we must evolve our leadership structure too – not just at the top, but in the shadows behind it, because every giant who fell…