Director-general of Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, has tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu.
The announcement came after a routine briefing with the president, marking a rare instance of a high-ranking security official stepping down from such a crucial position.
Abubakar, who served as NIA director general since 2018 spanning two presidential administrations, cited personal and family reasons for his departure.
While he did not elaborate on the specific issues, he emphasised that there were no serious concerns prompting his decision.
“There is quite a number of reasons one will do that, some personal family issues, but nothing very serious,” Abubakar said.
He assured that his friendship with the president would continue and that he would remain engaged with the country’s security matters.
The outgoing director general expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve under what he described as President Tinubu’s “transformational leadership.” Abubakar highlighted the rarity of serving two consecutive presidents in such a capacity, underscoring the unique nature of his tenure.
During his seven-year stint at the helm of the NIA, Abubakar said he focused on mentoring younger officers, preparing them for leadership roles within the agency.
“We have a lot of many officers who can do this job and do it excellently well,” he remarked, indicating confidence in the agency’s future leadership.
The president’s reaction to the resignation was not disclosed, with Abubakar suggesting that such information should come from either the National Security Adviser or the president himself.
“I think it’s not for me to say this, actually, probably I’ll be breaching protocol, but maybe the NSA and or Mr. President himself will say it.
“But what I can tell you is that I’m very, very grateful for the opportunity that the president gave me, actually to serve the country and his leadership, the encouragement I got, the confidence he had in me and in my service, the opportunity to listen to me, to read briefing notes and advices and so on. I think this for me is everything and I have had the opportunity to mentor officers and staff for all the period I have been DG,” he added.
Former resident Muhammadu Buhari had in 2021, extended the tenure of Ahmed Rufai. His reapportionment took effect from January 10, 2022, after his first appointment in 2018.
Rufai replaced Ayo Oke, who was suspended by the Buhari in April 2017 and dismissed on October 30 the same year. Critics of the Buhari administration had queried the appointment of Rufai in 2018.
