Amid increasing insecurity that prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a security emergency, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, resigned from his position on Monday with immediate effect.

There are reports indicating that President Bola Tinubu is under increased pressure to appoint a retired military general as Defence Minister in response to escalating security challenges facing the nation.

Former Jigawa State Governor Muhammed Badaru and Minister of State Dr Bello Matawalle have been criticised for insufficient security expertise.

Badaru’s resignation was announced on Monday by the Presidency in a statement titled “Badaru Abubakar, Defence Minister, Resigns.”

Badaru Abubakar, Defence Minister, Resigns

Nigeria’s defence minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.

In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds.

President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation.

President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week.

Badaru Abubakar, 63, was a two-term governor of Jigawa state from 2015 to 2023. He was appointed as a minister on August 21, 2023, by President Tinubu.

His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.

The statement was signed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Tinubu Meets General Chris Musa

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu hosted his former Chief of Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, at the presidential villa.

There is speculation that the retired General may be considered for national service as a potential successor to Alhaji Badaru, who recently resigned his position. General Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from June 2023 until October 2025, concluding a 34-year career with the Nigerian Army.

General Musa is from Zangon Kataf in southern Kaduna. His appointment may address concerns among Christians in Northern Nigeria. And send a soothing message to the international community about the Christian genocide in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, in a recent statement, advised President Tinubu to recall all the military officers who retired in the last six months to help stem the growing state of insecurity in the country. He urged the President to suspend the Armed Forces Act 2004, which pegs the retirement of military officers at age 60 or 35 years in service.

Professor Bolaji Akinyemi called on the President to declare a security emergency and revoke governors’ immunity in states with severe insecurity.

However, implementing his suggestions requires specific procedures: repealing a law needs an Act of the National Assembly, while removing governors’ immunity requires a constitutional amendment.

President Tinubu announced a nationwide security emergency just a few days after the chief diplomat made recommendations.

A political balance still needs to be achieved, as each state is expected to have a representative in the Federal Executive Council as a Minister. It remains uncertain what kind of government reshuffling will occur in the coming weeks.

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