NIA Director-General, Rufai Abubakar, Resigns After Seven Years in Office
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja
Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), has submitted his resignation to President Bola Tinubu after serving in the role for approximately seven years.
Appointed in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, Abubakar officially stepped down on Saturday, with President Tinubu accepting his resignation. Speaking to journalists following the submission of his resignation letter, Abubakar described his decision as a routine matter influenced by several factors, including personal and family reasons.
“There are multiple reasons behind my decision, some of which are related to personal family matters, but nothing too serious,” Abubakar explained. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and assured that his commitment to addressing the country’s security issues would remain unwavering.
During his remarks, Abubakar thanked President Tinubu for the support and confidence bestowed upon him during his tenure. “I am grateful for the chance to serve Nigeria under President Tinubu’s transformative leadership for an extended period of 15 months, which is quite rare. Serving under two presidents consecutively has been an honor,” he stated.
Abubakar also highlighted his efforts in mentoring and developing younger officers within the agency over his seven-year tenure, expressing confidence in their ability to continue performing excellently in their duties.
When asked about President Tinubu’s reaction to his resignation, Abubakar refrained from providing specific details, suggesting that it would be more appropriate for the National Security Adviser or the President himself to comment on the matter. However, he emphasized the strong working relationship and mutual respect shared during his service.
“I appreciate the President’s willingness to listen, consider briefing notes, and accept advice, which has been invaluable during my service. I leave knowing that the agency is in capable hands, ready to continue advancing Nigeria’s security interests,” Abubakar concluded.
