Tinubu Plans Replacement as Defence Minister Resigns
President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce a new Minister of Defence this week following the sudden resignation of the incumbent, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down due to health concerns.
Badaru’s resignation, which takes immediate effect, was contained in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to the President.
The development was confirmed on Monday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Badaru informed the President that he could no longer continue in office on health grounds. Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for Badaru’s service to the country.
The statement added that the President is expected to forward the name of Badaru’s successor to the Senate later this week, signaling the start of the replacement process.
Badaru, 63, previously served as governor of Jigawa State for two terms between 2015 and 2023 before his appointment as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023.
His departure comes at a critical time for the Tinubu administration, which is currently contending with heightened insecurity nationwide. The worsening situation recently prompted the President to declare a national security emergency, unveiling measures such as:
Recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers,
Deployment of forest guards, and
Enhanced security in schools, churches, and mosques across vulnerable areas.
Prior to his resignation, Badaru had faced criticism from analysts who questioned his capability to lead the Defence Ministry amid escalating security challenges.
Interestingly, hours before the announcement of his exit, Tinubu held a private meeting with former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), at the State House. Musa, dressed in dark-green northern traditional attire, arrived at about 7:03 p.m. and was led into the President’s office.
It was his first known meeting with Tinubu since his retirement on October 24, 2025
