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The National Intelligence Agency’s Director-General, Rufai Abubakar, has formally stepped down after submitting his resignation to President Bola Tinubu.
Appointed initially in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, Rufai Abubakar had his tenure extended in December 2021.
The DG made his resignation public after a briefing with President Bola Tinubu. “I tendered my resignation, and Mr. President graciously accepted it,” he shared with journalists at the State House in Abuja.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve under his “transformational leadership” for an extended period of 15 months, which he described as “very rare”.
Abubakar resigned due to personal and family commitments, notig that there was no serious issue behind his decision. He expressed his intent to maintain a strong friendship with the President and continue his dedication to Nigeria and philanthropic endeavors.
The former NIA DG highlighted the opportunity to mentor officers and staff during his seven-year tenure, stating that there are many capable officers who can excel in the position.
He said: “It’s a routine thing, from time to time to brief Mr. President on situations,, and today no exception. After the briefing today, actually.
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After tendering my resignation, the President kindly accepted it. I thanked him for allowing me to serve Nigeria under his remarkable leadership for a total of 15 months. It’s not common to have the chance to work under two Presidents consecutively, so I’m truly grateful. I also committed to remaining professionally dedicated to our country and supporting noble initiatives.
Asked why he was resigning, he said: “There are quite a number of reasons one will do that, some personal family issues, but nothing very serious, actually, and the friendship will continue. I discussed this with Mr. President, and he understood very well. I promise to remain seized by issues and the security situation of the country.”
Abubakar refrained from detailing President Tinubu’s reaction, stating, “It’s not really my place to discuss this—it might be a breach of protocol. The NSA or the President may
share more on this. But I can express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve under his leadership. The trust he placed in me, the support, and the chance to offer advice and guidance have meant a great deal to me. Additionally, mentoring officers and staff during my tenure as DG has been a highlight of my career.
He said: “This is my seventh year mentoring officers and staff as DG, and it’s been a fulfilling journey. I’m proud to see many younger officers now fully equipped to take on this role and perform it with excellence.”
