By David Akinmola
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence has resigned from office citing health challenges, a development that comes at a time the country is grappling with multiple security emergencies across several regions.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Presidency confirmed that the minister tendered his resignation after “a period of medical consultations and sustained health concerns,” noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the decision “with understanding and gratitude for his service.”
The minister’s exit follows intensifying security pressures, including escalating banditry in the North-West, renewed insurgent activity in the North-East, and rising concerns over attacks on critical infrastructure in parts of the country. Senior defence officials say the resignation adds complexity to an already strained national security architecture that is undergoing operational reviews.
Presidential aides disclosed that an acting minister will be announced “in the coming days” to ensure continuity in defence operations, while consultations are underway for a substantive replacement.
Security analysts warn that the transition period must be handled carefully to prevent gaps in coordination among the armed forces.
“This is a sensitive moment for such a change,” one analyst noted, stressing the need for strong leadership to steer ongoing counterterrorism and stabilisation efforts.
The Presidency, however, assured Nigerians that ongoing security operations will continue uninterrupted and pledged “a seamless handover that maintains momentum in safeguarding the nation.”
