In a significant development for President Bola Tinubu's administration, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has tendered his resignation. The 63-year-old former governor cited health reasons for his immediate departure, which comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with heightened security challenges, including a troubling wave of mass kidnappings.
Defence Minister's Sudden Exit Accepted
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed in a statement on Monday, December 1, 2025, that President Tinubu has accepted Badaru's resignation. The president expressed gratitude for the former minister's service to the nation. The resignation letter was dated the same day it was announced, marking a swift end to Badaru's tenure at the helm of the nation's defence apparatus.
To fill the sudden vacancy, President Tinubu has moved quickly, nominating the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, as the new Minister of Defence. A formal letter conveying Musa's nomination has been sent to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for the necessary confirmation proceedings.
Four Other Key Appointees Who Have Resigned
Badaru's resignation brings the total number of senior appointees who have left President Tinubu's government since it took office in May 2023 to five. Here is a detailed look at the other four officials who stepped down:
1. Aliyu Audu (June 2025)
Aliyu Audu, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Tinubu, resigned from his position in June 2025. In his resignation letter dated June 8, 2025, Audu later publicly stated that his reason for leaving was to actively work against President Tinubu's re-election in the 2027 polls. He framed the upcoming election as a shift from "Emi lo kan" (It's my turn) to "Gbogbo wa lo kan" (It's our turn).
2. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed (April 2025)
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Special Adviser on Political Matters in the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, resigned in April 2025. Appointed in September 2023, Baba-Ahmed did not elaborate on his reasons, stating only that his resignation was on personal grounds. He had been a prominent face of the presidency at several public forums.
3. Ajuri Ngelale (September 2024)
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced he was proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence in September 2024, which effectively amounted to a resignation. He cited a worsening family medical situation as the reason. Reports suggest his tenure faced significant internal pressure from factions within the presidency.
4. Uche Geoffrey Nnaji (October 2025)
President Tinubu accepted the resignation of Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, in October 2025. His resignation followed allegations, stemming from a newspaper investigation, that he had submitted falsified certificates during his ministerial screening. Nnaji was appointed in August 2023.
Implications and Next Steps
The resignation of the defence minister during a period of intense security pressure places a spotlight on the stability and continuity of Nigeria's security strategy. The swift nomination of General Christopher Musa, a respected former military chief, indicates an effort to ensure a seamless transition and maintain strong leadership in the defence sector.
These series of resignations, each with distinct reasons ranging from health and personal grounds to political opposition and scandal, reflect the dynamic and sometimes turbulent nature of high-level political appointments. They underscore the challenges of maintaining a cohesive team throughout a presidential term, especially as the political landscape begins to shift focus towards the next electoral cycle in 2027.
All eyes will now be on the Senate for the confirmation of General Musa and on how the new defence minister will address the pressing security issues facing the nation.
