Washington Forces Tinubu’s Hand: Defence Overhaul Underway as Badaru Quits

Nigeria’s security architecture is bracing for a major shake-up as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intensifies the implementation of a U.S.-backed security blueprint—one reportedly inspired by the American President Donald Trump’s hardline counterterror approach.

The sudden resignation of Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, on Monday night is said to be only the opening chapter of a broader purge that could see more top figures in the sector pushed aside, including Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

A top Presidency source, who spoke to BusinessDay under strict confidentiality, described Badaru’s exit as “a decisive step in the President’s new war doctrine,” driven by the declaration of a national security emergency and increasing pressure from Washington.

> “You will see more of these reforms unfolding soon. This is part of a coordinated, urgent response to stabilize the country,” the source said.

U.S. CONDITIONS: “Drop Anyone With Unclean Records”

According to the insider, external pressure played a pivotal role. The U.S. government, alarmed by Nigeria’s deepening instability, reportedly presented Tinubu with firm conditions to secure Washington’s cooperation and avoid the threat of unilateral U.S. military action.

Donald Trump’s administration recently designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” which escalates diplomatic and military consequences.

> “The Americans told the President plainly—restructure your security architecture or deal with the fallout. Anyone with questionable records, past corruption allegations, or links to bandit networks had to go,” the source disclosed.

This, insiders say, places Bello Matawalle in a precarious position, with his removal believed to be imminent.

Despite the mounting pressure, the Presidency source revealed that Tinubu initially resisted letting Badaru go—not for security considerations, but due to political loyalty.

Badaru, alongside former Governors Atiku Bagudu and Nasir El-Rufai, had been instrumental in securing Tinubu the APC presidential ticket in 2023. Their intervention reportedly persuaded former President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse Tinubu’s candidacy.

> “Badaru was one of the President’s strongest pillars during the primaries. Dropping him was emotionally and politically difficult,” the source noted.
Yet, the President bowed to security exigencies and accepted Badaru’s resignation letter dated December 1, in which he cited health reasons.

CHRISTOPHER MUSA SET FOR A COMEBACK

In a development that raised eyebrows across the defence establishment, President Tinubu held a closed-door meeting on Monday with the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, barely hours before Badaru’s resignation became public.

Credible sources say Musa is being positioned to return “in a strategic national security capacity” that has not yet been announced.

This move aligns with the recent high-level U.S.–Nigeria consultations held in Washington D.C., where National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu met with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and his team.

TINUBU’S 2027 CALCULUS: NO CAMPAIGNING WITH INSECURITY

The Presidency source emphasized that Tinubu is determined to eliminate insecurity from his list of political liabilities before the 2027 election season.

> “The President said clearly—he will not campaign in 2027 with insecurity hanging over his head. He wants to rebuild the economy, not keep draining resources fighting terrorists,” the source said.

The President is said to be deeply disturbed by the rising number of military casualties and the daily torment inflicted on Nigerians through kidnappings, killings, and attacks on farmers.

WHAT NEXT?

Tinubu is expected to forward the name of Badaru’s replacement to the Senate before the end of the week.
Badaru, 63, served as Governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 and was appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023.

With the emerging U.S.–Nigeria security equation, the unfolding restructuring is expected to reshape the nation’s defence posture ahead of 2027—and possibly redefine Tinubu’s political fate.