The Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, has officially resigned from his position. Abubakar tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu after a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Saturday, where he briefed the President on current issues.
Speaking to State House reporters, Abubakar explained that his visit to the Presidential Villa was part of his routine briefings with the President.
“After the briefing, I tendered my resignation, and Mr. President graciously approved and accepted it,” he said.
Abubakar expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for allowing him to serve Nigeria under what he described as a “transformational leadership” for 15 months.
He noted that it was rare to have the opportunity to serve two different presidents in such a significant capacity.
Despite stepping down from his role, Abubakar promised to remain committed to Nigeria’s security and wellbeing. When asked why he decided to resign, Abubakar mentioned personal and family reasons but assured the public that there was “nothing very serious” behind his decision.
“I discussed with Mr. President, he understood very well, and I promised to remain steadfast with issues and the security situations of the country,” he added.
Abubakar’s tenure as NIA Director General began in 2018 when he was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. His time in office was extended in December 2021. Abubakar, who is 71 years old, hails from Katsina State and has had a long career in foreign service, joining the security department of the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1993. Before his appointment as NIA boss, he served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on international relations and foreign affairs.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in French from Bayero University, Kano, and is also fluent in English and Arabic.
He was appointed as NIA boss in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who extended his stay in office in December 2021.
Abubakar, a 71-year-old retired career foreign service officer from Katsina State, joined the security department of the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1993. In 2015, he was appointed senior special assistant to the president (SSAP) on international relations and foreign affairs.
He attended Bayero University in Kano, where he bagged bachelor’s and master’s degrees in French. He also speaks English and Arabic.