Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar Steps Down

Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has resigned from his post as Nigeria's Minister of Defence, citing health grounds.

​The resignation was made effective immediately, communicated to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated December 1st. The President has accepted the resignation and expressed his gratitude for Abubakar's service to the nation, as confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

​Abubakar, 63, had served as the defence minister since his appointment by President Tinubu on August 21, 2023. He previously served two terms as the Governor of Jigawa State (2015-2023).

Abubakar's resignation came right after the  emergency declaration came amid strong criticism from the National Assembly and the public regarding the government's security response.

Specifically,  lawmakers strongly condemned the Federal Government for admitting that security agencies were negotiating with the abductors for the release of hostages, arguing that this rewards criminality. The attacks forced numerous states and the Federal Government to close scores of schools, including 41 Federal Unity Colleges, underscoring the severity of the crisis.

​President Bola Tinubu declared the nationwide security emergency on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

​The declaration was a direct response to a surge in mass abductions, terrorist attacks, and banditry across multiple states, particularly targeting schools and worshippers in the North and North-Central regions. Sources within the presidency suggest that President Tinubu is expected to notify the Senate of Badaru Abubakar’s replacement within the current week.