Shock Exit: Defence Minister Badaru Quits Over Health Scare
By the Newsroom
KANO – Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has stepped down from his position with immediate effect. His resignation was conveyed in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A press statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirming the development as part of an official State House communication .
In the letter, Badaru informed the President that he was leaving office due to health concerns. Though details were not disclosed, the former minister noted that the development required him to focus on his wellbeing.
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s service to the nation. According to the Presidency, the President acknowledged the minister’s contributions to national security since assuming office in 2023.
The President is expected to notify the Senate of a new ministerial nominee later this week, in accordance with constitutional requirements. The Defence Ministry will continue to function under its existing administrative structure pending the appointment of a successor.
Badaru Abubakar, 63, previously served two terms as Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before he was appointed Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023. His tenure was marked by collaboration with the armed forces on various security initiatives.
His resignation comes at a critical moment, coinciding with President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national security emergency. The President is expected to further outline the scope and implications of this emergency in the coming days.