Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has stepped down from his position. The development was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to Onanuga, the minister tendered his resignation in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, citing “health grounds” as the reason for his decision. President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s service to the country.
The President is expected to notify the Senate of a nominee to fill the vacant ministerial position later this week.
Badaru Abubakar, 63, previously served as the Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before being appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023.
His departure comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with worsening insecurity, including rising incidents of abductions and killings. It also follows President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national security emergency, with further details expected soon.
Earlier on Sunday, The Next Edition learnt that the President met with the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, though it remains unclear whether the meeting was connected to the vacancy in the Defence Ministry.
