Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has stepped down from his position with immediate effect, citing health-related reasons.
His resignation was communicated in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The development was later confirmed in a statement released on X by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu has accepted Badaru’s resignation and expressed gratitude for his service to the nation. According to the presidency, a new minister is expected to be announced, with the Senate likely to be informed later this week.
Badaru, 63, previously served two terms as Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before being appointed as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023. His exit comes at a time when President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, with further details expected to be unveiled soon.