Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has stepped down from his role, effective immediately.
His resignation was conveyed in a letter dated December 1, 2025, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which the 63-year-old cited health challenges as the reason for his decision to vacate the office.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released on Monday, confirmed that President Tinubu has accepted Badaru’s resignation and expressed appreciation for his contributions to national security and public service.
Onanuga added that the President is expected to forward the name of a new ministerial nominee to the Senate later this week.
Badaru, a former two-term governor of Jigawa State (2015–2023), was appointed Defence Minister by President Tinubu on August 21, 2023.
His exit comes at a time when the President has declared a national security emergency, with further details on the government’s strategy expected soon.
