Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), has resigned from his position, marking the end of a notable tenure in Nigeria’s intelligence community.
Abubakar, who served under two Nigerian presidents, submitted his resignation to President Bola Tinubu on Saturday.
Speaking to State House reporters after meeting with President Tinubu, Abubakar confirmed that his resignation was accepted by the President.
Although he did not disclose specific reasons for stepping down, he mentioned that his decision was based on personal and family-related issues.
“There are quite a number of reasons one would do that. Some personal, family issues. But nothing very serious actually,” Abubakar explained.
“I discussed with Mr President, he understood very well, and I promised to remain committed to issues concerning the security situation in the country.”
Ahmed Rufai Abubakar’s career in Nigeria’s intelligence sector spans several decades. He was appointed as the NIA Director-General in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
His appointment was initially met with mixed reactions, but he managed to lead the agency through a challenging period marked by complex security issues both within and outside Nigeria.
In December 2021, President Buhari extended Abubakar’s tenure, reflecting confidence in his leadership. Abubakar’s ability to navigate the sensitive nature of intelligence work earned him respect among his peers and within the corridors of power.
His tenure saw him handle several critical national security issues, and he remained a key figure in the intelligence community even after the transition to President Tinubu’s administration.
During his conversation with reporters, Abubakar expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for allowing him to continue his service during the early months of Tinubu’s presidency.
“I thank President Tinubu for giving me the opportunity to serve Nigeria under his transformational leadership for an extended period of 15 months, which is very rare – to have the opportunity to serve two presidents at a stretch,” he said.
Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, a 71-year-old retired career foreign service officer, hails from Katsina State.
He joined the Nigerian Foreign Service’s security department in 1993, where he built a reputation for his expertise in international relations and foreign affairs.
In 2015, he was appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on International Relations and Foreign Affairs by President Buhari.
He attended Bayero University in Kano, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in French. His multilingual abilities, including fluency in English and Arabic, complemented his role in international diplomacy and intelligence.
During his tenure, Abubakar faced numerous challenges, particularly in managing Nigeria’s complex security environment.
The country has been grappling with a range of security threats, including insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and separatist movements in the Southeast.
Under his leadership, the NIA worked closely with other security agencies to address these issues, although challenges persist.
