Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), has officially resigned from his position after more than six years of service. His resignation was approved by President Bola Tinubu following a final briefing at the State House on Saturday, during which Abubakar presented his resignation letter.
In a statement after the meeting, Abubakar expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation under his leadership for an additional 15 months, calling it a rare privilege.
“It’s a routine thing, from time to time, to brief Mr. President on situations, and today was no exception. After the briefing, I tendered my resignation, and Mr. President graciously approved and accepted it,” Abubakar said. “I thanked him for allowing me to serve Nigeria under his transformational leadership for a period of 15 months, which is very rare. It’s not often that one gets the opportunity to serve two presidents consecutively.”
Abubakar cited personal family matters as one of the reasons for his resignation, though he emphasized that these issues were not serious. He expressed fulfillment in his service to the nation and appreciated the leadership and confidence that President Tinubu had placed in him.
“I am very, very grateful for the opportunity the President gave me to serve the country under his leadership. The encouragement I received, the confidence he had in me, and the chance to mentor officers and staff during my time as Director General have been invaluable,” Abubakar added.
Abubakar’s tenure as NIA Director General spanned over six years, during which he served under both President Tinubu and his predecessor. His resignation marks the end of a significant period in Nigeria’s intelligence community, with Abubakar leaving behind a legacy of mentorship and dedicated service.