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Bauchi State‘s commissioner for internal security was dismissed Monday, barely a year after he was appointed to the position during a previous cabinet reorganization that saw five ministers removed.
Governor Bala Mohammed relieved Ibrahim Gambo Galadima of his duties as Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs with immediate effect, according to a statement released early Monday by Mukhtar Gidado, the governor’s media adviser. The brief announcement characterized the dismissal as part of a minor cabinet adjustment aimed at strengthening governance and improving service delivery across Nigeria’s northeastern state. “His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, has approved a minor change in the composition of his cabinet,” the statement said. “In that respect, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, has been relieved of his appointment as a member of the State Executive Council with immediate effect.”
Galadima had held the internal security portfolio since January 2025, when Mohammed promoted him from the Ministry of Works and Transport during a broader cabinet reorganization. That reshuffle saw five commissioners removed and eight new appointees sworn in.
The governor’s office provided no explanation for Galadima’s dismissal and did not detail specific shortcomings or policy disagreements. Mohammed thanked the outgoing commissioner for his contributions and wished him success in future endeavors. Gidado said the decision reflected the administration’s commitment to periodically reviewing its executive team “in order to inject fresh ideas, strengthen governance, reposition the executive for improved service delivery, and ensure effective implementation of government policies and programmes across the state.” A replacement will be announced in due course, according to the statement. The governor’s office did not indicate whether other cabinet changes were planned or whether additional commissioners would be affected.
Mohammed has conducted multiple cabinet reorganizations since taking office. In January 2025, he dismissed five commissioners including Abubakar Abdulhameed Bununu, who previously held the internal security position that Galadima then assumed. At the time, the governor said the changes were necessary to “reinvigorate governance and ensure optimal service delivery” by bringing fresh perspectives to address emerging challenges. He forwarded eight names to the state House of Assembly for confirmation as replacements.
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In September 2025, Mohammed removed Zainab Baban-Takko as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, citing similar justifications about strengthening government operations.
The pattern of frequent cabinet adjustments has become a hallmark of Mohammed’s administration. Officials have characterized the approach as standard practice designed to maintain accountability and adapt to changing circumstances.
Bauchi State, located in Nigeria’s northeast, faces security challenges including sporadic attacks by armed groups, farmer-herder conflicts, and banditry affecting rural communities. The internal security portfolio carries responsibility for coordinating state-level responses to these threats alongside federal security agencies. Galadima’s tenure saw continued violence in parts of the state, though no major incidents were publicly attributed to failures in his ministry. The governor’s statement made no reference to security conditions or specific performance metrics.
Mohammed, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, has governed Bauchi since 2019. He won re-election in 2023 amid economic difficulties and national debates over insecurity across northern Nigeria.
The governor has maintained that periodic cabinet changes allow him to assess performance, reward competence, and remove underperformers without creating the impression of instability. Critics have questioned whether frequent turnover undermines institutional continuity and prevents ministers from implementing long-term strategies.
Bauchi State operates under Nigeria’s federal system, where governors appoint commissioners subject to confirmation by state legislatures. Mohammed controls a majority in the House of Assembly, facilitating approval of his appointees. The state faces fiscal constraints common across Nigeria, including limited internally generated revenue and dependence on federal allocations that have fluctuated due to oil price volatility and production challenges.
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Mohammed’s administration has prioritized infrastructure development, education, and agriculture while contending with security concerns that affect economic activity in affected areas. His government has not released comprehensive assessments of ministerial performance or criteria used to determine which officials remain in position.
Galadima could not be reached for comment Monday. The governor’s office did not make him available for interviews or issue statements on his behalf. No timeline was provided for naming a successor or whether the position might remain vacant while the administration conducts consultations. The governor reassured residents that his commitment to peace, security and good governance remained unwavering despite the personnel change.
