Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office with immediate effect, citing health challenges.
His resignation was conveyed in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In the letter, the 63-year-old former governor of Jigawa State stated that stepping down was necessary in order to attend to his health.
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s service to the nation. The President is expected to communicate his choice of replacement to the Senate later this week.
Badaru, who served two terms as governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023, was appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023. His exit comes at a time when President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, with further details expected in the coming days.
The announcement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
