Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has officially resigned from his position, with the Presidency announcing the development on Monday evening. According to a statement released by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, Badaru tendered his resignation in a letter dated December 1, citing health challenges as the reason for stepping down. President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for the minister’s service since joining the cabinet.
Badaru, a former two-term governor of Jigawa State, was appointed Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023. His departure comes at a time when the country is confronting heightened insecurity, following a recent nationwide security emergency declared by the Tinubu administration. The Presidency noted that the process of selecting a replacement is already underway and that the President will formally notify the Senate of his preferred nominee later in the week.
The resignation also follows a private meeting between President Tinubu and former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), fueling speculation that Musa may be considered for the role. However, no official announcement has been made. Badaru’s unexpected exit marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s security leadership at a crucial moment for the administration’s ongoing efforts to restore stability across the country.
