Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office with immediate effect, citing health challenges that required urgent attention.
His resignation was communicated to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a letter dated December 1, 2025. According to the letter, Badaru said he was stepping down to focus fully on his health and ongoing medical care.
The announcement was confirmed on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed that President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude to the outgoing minister for his “dedicated service to the nation during a critical period.”
Onanuga further noted that the President will transmit the name of a new ministerial nominee to the Senate later this week, in line with constitutional requirements.
Badaru Abubakar, 63, served two terms as Governor of Jigawa State before his appointment to the federal cabinet on August 21, 2023. His exit came at a time when President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency, with additional details about the new security framework expected to be unveiled soon.
The Presidency assured Nigerians that the Defence Ministry will continue to function seamlessly pending the appointment of a new minister.
