Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has left office with immediate effect after notifying President Bola Tinubu that his health could no longer sustain the demands of the role.

The resignation was formally conveyed in a letter dated December 1, where Abubakar stated: "I am quitting on health grounds." The Presidency has accepted his exit and expressed appreciation for the period he served in the cabinet.

Tinubu is expected to send a new nominee to the Senate before the end of the week as the administration moves to keep its security agenda on track.

Abubakar, aged 63, previously governed Jigawa State for two terms between 2015 and 2023 before joining the federal cabinet on August 21, 2023. His departure comes shortly after the President’s declaration of a national security emergency, a development that adds pressure on the government to quickly stabilise leadership within the defence ministry.