On December 1, 2025, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu, stating that ongoing health challenges left him unable to continue in the demanding role.
The president accepted the decision immediately, thanked the outgoing minister for his dedication, and wished him a full and speedy recovery.
The 63-year-old minister had taken up the defence portfolio in August 2023 after completing two terms as governor of Jigawa State between 2015 and 2023.
His time leading the ministry lasted slightly more than fifteen months, a period in which he collaborated closely with the military leadership and various security agencies to address the country’s complex threats.
Badaru’s departure coincides with a critical phase in Nigeria’s security landscape, as President Tinubu recently declared a national emergency on security matters and is finalising a comprehensive new strategy against insurgency, banditry, and other forms of violent crime.
The president is expected to forward the name of a replacement to the Senate for confirmation this week, while the presidency has confirmed that experienced senior officials will oversee the ministry’s daily operations in the interim to ensure continuity.
