Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office, citing health concerns.
His resignation, conveyed in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, takes immediate effect.
President Tinubu has accepted the minister’s decision and expressed appreciation for Abubakar’s service to the nation, according to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
A successor is expected to be announced soon, with the President likely to communicate his choice to the Senate later this week.
Abubakar, 63, previously served two terms as governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023, as part of President Tinubu’s cabinet.
His resignation comes at a sensitive time, following President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national security emergency. The Presidency is expected to provide further details on the scope and implementation of the emergency measures in the coming days.