Okay News reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Major General Abdullahi Mohammed (retired), who served as Chief of Staff to two former Nigerian presidents — Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Major General Mohammed, a respected military officer and administrator, died in the early hours of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, at the age of 86. Born in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State in North-Central Nigeria, he was widely regarded for his dedication to public service and his role in shaping Nigeria’s modern security architecture.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu described the late General Mohammed as “a disciplined, loyal, and patriotic officer whose contributions to Nigeria’s governance and security remain indelible.”
“General Mohammed left a lasting legacy in the establishment of Nigeria’s National Security Organisation, which later evolved into the State Security Service (SSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA),” President Tinubu said in his condolence message.
He added that the late officer combined “the precision of a soldier with the prudence of a statesman,” noting that his leadership within the Nigerian Presidency left a profound mark on the efficiency and coordination of government operations.
Mohammed also served as Governor of the defunct Benue-Plateau State between 1975 and 1976, where his tenure was known for administrative discipline and social reforms.
President Tinubu further described him as “a man of humility, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian project,” stating that his passing represents “a significant loss to the nation and the armed forces.”
The President extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the government and people of Kwara State, and the entire Nigerian military establishment, urging them to take comfort in the enduring legacy of service and patriotism that Mohammed embodied.
Major General Abdullahi Mohammed’s death has drawn tributes from across Nigeria’s political and military communities, highlighting his decades of influence in national security and governance.
