ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has resigned from his position with immediate effect, citing health concerns.
His departure comes at a sensitive time for the country, as President Bola Tinubu moves to address an escalating national security crisis.
Badaru announced his resignation in a letter dated Monday, December 1, 2025 which was submitted to the president.
The development was confirmed on Monday, December 1, 2025, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who said Tinubu had accepted the minister’s exit and expressed gratitude for his service.
“President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week,” Onanuga said in the statement.
Badaru, 63, served two terms as governor of Jigawa State between 2015 and 2023 before joining Tinubu’s cabinet on 21 August 2023.
His resignation ends a tenure marked by persistent security challenges, including worsening banditry, kidnappings, and insurgent attacks across multiple regions.
The announcement comes just as Tinubu declared a national security emergency, with the presidency expected to outline the scope of the measure in the coming days.
Badaru’s exit also followed a meeting on Monday evening between the president and Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), at the State House.
The meeting is viewed as part of a broader effort by Tinubu to overhaul the country’s security architecture in response to mounting pressure over rising violence and instability.
The Ministry of Defence has yet to comment further on the circumstances surrounding Badaru’s health or his immediate plans, but officials in the presidency have indicated that a replacement will be named promptly to avoid any leadership vacuum within the defence establishment.
Badaru’s departure adds to speculation that Tinubu is preparing a significant shake-up within the security sector as Nigeria confronts a wave of violent crises that has affected multiple states and heightened national anxiety.
