Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has stepped down from his position with immediate effect, citing health reasons in a letter submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Okay News reports.
According to a statement issued from the State House released on Monday, the resignation letter was dated December 1, with Badaru informing the President that his decision was compelled by personal medical concerns that required his attention.
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s service, especially during a period marked by intensified national security challenges.
“The President thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation,” the statement noted, adding that the administration will announce a new ministerial nominee soon.
The Senate is expected to receive the name of Badaru’s successor later this week.
Badaru, 63, previously served two terms as Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before joining President Tinubu’s cabinet as Defence Minister on August 21, 2023. His exit comes at a critical moment, just days after President Tinubu declared a national security emergency aimed at increasing recruitment and strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
The Presidency said the scope and implementation framework of the emergency declaration will be outlined in the coming days.
