Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), has officially stepped down from his position, submitting his resignation to President Bola Tinubu.
Abubakar made this known to State House correspondents on Saturday following his meeting with the President. He stated that he had discussed his decision with President Tinubu, who fully understood and accepted his resignation.
Regarding his visit to the Presidential Villa, Abubakar mentioned, “I came to brief Mr. President on relevant issues, as is customary. During this meeting, I formally presented my resignation, which the President graciously approved.”
He further expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve under his leadership, highlighting that he had served Nigeria for an extended period of 15 months under two different presidents—a rare privilege.
Despite stepping down, Abubakar assured that he remains committed to Nigeria and its security.
Reasons Behind the Resignation
When asked about the motivations for his resignation, Abubakar downplayed any major concerns, stating that there was nothing alarming behind his decision. He cited personal and family matters as contributing factors but refrained from going into specific details.
“There are various reasons one might take such a decision. In my case, it’s mostly personal and family-related, though nothing particularly serious. I had a candid discussion with the President, who understood my position, and I assured him of my continued dedication to the security of the country,” he explained.
Abubakar was appointed as the NIA Director General in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who later extended his tenure in December 2021.
The 71-year-old, originally from Katsina State, has had a distinguished career. He joined the Nigerian Foreign Service’s security department in 1993 and later served as Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on International Relations and Foreign Affairs in 2015.
Abubakar holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in French from Bayero University in Kano and is fluent in both English and Arabic.
