Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has stepped down from his position with immediate effect, citing health reasons.
In a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar announced his resignation. The president has accepted the decision and expressed gratitude for his service to the nation. Tinubu is expected to notify the Senate of Abubakar’s successor later this week.
Abubakar, 63, served two terms as governor of Jigawa State between 2015 and 2023 before being appointed defence minister on August 21, 2023. His departure comes as President Tinubu recently declared a national security emergency, with further details on its scope expected in the coming days.