Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Resigns as Political Adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the political adviser to Vice President Kashim Shettima, has resigned from his position. Reliable sources within the presidency revealed that Baba-Ahmed submitted his resignation approximately two weeks ago. However, the reasons for his departure remain unclear, with the former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) stating only that the decision was based on personal grounds. As of the time of this report, it remains uncertain whether the presidency has formally accepted his resignation.

Baba-Ahmed was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima in September 2023. In his role, he represented the presidency at numerous public events, including a national conference in January 2025 on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. Despite his involvement in key government initiatives, his tenure was not without controversy.

One notable source of criticism came from Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle. In April 2024, Matawalle publicly admonished northern appointees, including Baba-Ahmed, for not defending the administration against perceived misrepresentation. This remark followed Baba-Ahmed’s critique of Matawalle’s dismissal of the NEF as politically insignificant. Baba-Ahmed had suggested that the administration would benefit more if northern appointees highlighted their achievements, such as improving security and reducing poverty, rather than attacking organizations like the NEF. Matawalle countered, stating that it was the duty of government appointees to defend and promote the administration, adding that Baba-Ahmed’s close ties with the NEF could be a conflict of interest.

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed is a seasoned civil servant and academic. He hails from Kaduna State and holds a PhD from the University of Sussex in the UK. Throughout his career, Baba-Ahmed has served in various significant roles, including as Permanent Secretary in several federal ministries and Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A reform-minded individual, he has earned recognition for his contributions to governance, including the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). Prior to his presidential appointment, he was the Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the NEF, where he was a vocal advocate for the North’s interests.