A high ranking Minister in Nigeria has resigned from office with immediate effect.

He is Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who served as Minister of Defence.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement released on Monday.

According to a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Badaru cited health challenges as the reason for his decision to step down.

Onanuga noted that President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude to the former minister for his service to the nation while the President is expected to notify the Senate of a new nominee to fill the vacant position later this week.

Badaru, 63, served as governor of Jigawa State for two terms between 2015 and 2023 before his appointment as defence minister on August 21, 2023.

His resignation comes at a time President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency.

Details later…