By Dr Nafisat Makinde
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned with immediate effect, citing health grounds, in a major blow to President Bola Tinubu’s administration just days after the declaration of a national emergency on security.
The resignation was contained in a letter dated December 1, 2025, addressed to President Tinubu. The President accepted it the same day and expressed gratitude to the minister for his service to the nation, in a statement disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) on Monday.
Badaru, 63, a former two-term governor of Jigawa State (2015 to 2023), was appointed defence minister on August 21, 2023. His exit leaves the Defence Ministry headless at a time of heightened insecurity across multiple fronts.
President Tinubu is expected to forward the name of a successor to the Senate for confirmation later this week, the statement added.
The presidency did not disclose details of the health challenges that prompted the resignation.
The development comes as Nigeria grapples with a surge in banditry, insurgency, and separatist agitation, with the government preparing to roll out far-reaching measures under the newly declared security emergency.
MINISTER’S SUDDEN EXIT: Abubakar Resigns – Health Woes Rock Nigeria’s Frontline Defence
