Tinubu Moves to Appoint New Defence Chief After Badaru Steps Down
Story: Written by Myra December 2,2025
President Bola Tinubu is set to name a new Minister of Defence this week following the sudden resignation of Abubakar Badaru, who exited the administration over health-related concerns. His resignation, dated December 1, took immediate effect and was officially conveyed to the President in a formal letter.
The development was announced Monday evening in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, Badaru informed the President that his decision to step aside was due to medical reasons.
President Tinubu accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude for Badaru’s contribution to national service. He is expected to forward the name of a new Defence Minister to the Senate before the end of the week.
Badaru, 63, previously served as the Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 and assumed office as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023.
His exit comes at a time when the Federal Government is confronting intensified security challenges nationwide—issues that prompted President Tinubu to declare a security emergency in recent weeks.
Under the new security directives, the President approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel, the establishment of a national forest guard, and reinforced security for schools, churches and mosques in high-risk communities.
Badaru had faced ongoing criticism from analysts who argued he lacked the experience and strategic capacity required to lead the Defence Ministry.
His departure has revived discussions about the future of Tinubu’s security reforms and the type of leadership required to push them forward.
Adding to the speculation over the next Defence Minister, Tinubu held a closed-door meeting earlier in the day with Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff. Musa, dressed in a dark-green northern-style outfit, arrived at the State House around 7:03 p.m. and was escorted into the Presidential Wing. It marked his first public appearance at the Villa since his retirement on October 24, 2025.
Although no details were released about the meeting, the timing has fueled rumours that Musa—or another high-ranking security officer—may be under consideration to succeed Badaru.
