Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from office with immediate effect, citing health concerns in an official letter submitted to President Bola Tinubu on December 1.

In the letter, Abubakar informed the president that he could “no longer continue to serve at the required pace due to health challenges,” prompting his decision to step down. President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed appreciation for his service.

“President Tinubu thanks Alhaji Abubakar for his dedication and contributions to national security, and he wishes him a full and speedy recovery,” Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Monday.

The president is expected to announce a successor later this week as the administration moves swiftly to fill the strategic role.

Abubakar, 63, previously served two terms as governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before his appointment as Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023. His exit comes at a delicate moment for the government, which recently declared a national security emergency.

According to the presidency, Tinubu will “brief the nation in due course” on the scope and implementation of the emergency measures.