Defence minister Badaru Abubakar resigns amid national security emergency

By Bukola Hameed

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned his appointment with immediate effect, citing health grounds. The unexpected departure comes as President Bola Tinubu recently declared a national security emergency.

​President Tinubu has accepted the resignation, which was conveyed in a letter dated December 1, 2025.

The Statehouse confirmed the development late Monday via a press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

​”President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation,” the release stated.

​Mr. Abubakar, 63, was sworn in as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023, and served in the critical role for just over 15 months. Before his ministerial appointment, he was a two-term Governor of Jigawa State, serving from 2015 to 2023.

The resignation throws open a key cabinet position at a time of heightened military and security operations across the country.

​The development follows President Tinubu’s recent declaration of a national security emergency, with the President assuring the public that the scope and details of this declaration would be elaborated upon in the coming days.

​The presidency indicated that the search for a replacement is already underway.

​”President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week,” the statement added, suggesting a swift nomination process is expected for the sensitive Defence portfolio.