JUST IN: Defence Minister Badaru Resigns Amid Security Emergency, Musa Emerges as Likely Successor

By Arthur Maduka

Nigeria’s defence minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office with immediate effect, according to a statement released by the State House on Monday. His resignation was tendered in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, in which he cited health challenges as the reason for stepping down.

The president accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his service. His exit comes as the administration moves to implement a recently declared national security emergency, with further details expected in the coming days.

Political attention has now shifted to who will assume the defence portfolio, with strong speculation that ex–Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa may be in line for the position after meeting with the president in a closed-door session earlier in the evening.

Abubakar, 63, previously served two terms as Jigawa State governor before joining the federal cabinet on August 21, 2023. The presidency is expected to forward a formal nomination to the Senate later this week.