President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce a new Minister of Defence this week after Badaru Abubakar resigned from the cabinet citing health concerns.
The resignation, dated December 1, was formally communicated to the President and disclosed on Monday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds,” the statement said.
Onanuga added that the President has accepted the resignation and “thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation,” noting that Tinubu “will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.”
Abubakar, 63, previously served two terms as governor of Jigawa State before his appointment as Defence Minister on August 21, 2023.
His departure comes at a critical time for the administration, which is battling worsening insecurity that recently prompted Tinubu to declare a nationwide security emergency.
The President has introduced several measures, including the recruitment of 20,000 police officers, deployment of forest guards, and enhanced protection for schools and worship centres in high-risk areas.
Abubakar had faced growing criticism from analysts who argued he was not suited to lead the ministry.
Shortly before the resignation was made public, Tinubu held a private meeting with former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), who arrived the State House around 7:03 p.m. for his first visit since retiring on October 24, 2025.
The purpose of the meeting was not disclosed, but it has intensified speculation over who will be appointed as the next Minister of Defence.
