Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, has resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.
Badaru announced his resignation in a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, citing health reasons.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement on Monday that Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked the former minister for his services to the nation.
“President Tinubu will likely inform the senate of Badaru’s successor later this week,” the statement reads.
Badaru, 63, was a two-term governor of Jigawa state from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed as a minister on August 21, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.
The development also follows a meeting between Christopher Musa, the former chief of defence staff (CDS), and the president at the State House earlier on Monday evening.
The meeting, according to rumours, is a precursor to a major shake-up by Tinubu in the wake of growing insecurity in the country.
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
Badaru Abubakar, Defence Minister, Resigns
Nigeria’s defence minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.
In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds.
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation.
President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.
Badaru Abubakar, 63, was a two-term governor of Jigawa state from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed as a minister on August 21, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.
-Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information and Strategy)
December 1, 2025
