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Home Security Tinubu Plays Puppet as U.S. Directs Key Defence Decisions in Nigeria

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Tinubu Plays Puppet as U.S. Directs Key Defence Decisions in Nigeria

West Africa WeeklyDecember 4, 20252 Mins read5

Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria’s Defence Minister, resigned on December 1, 2025, citing health reasons. President Bola Tinubu accepted the resignation, which comes amid a national security emergency. The departure coincides with intensified U.S. involvement in Nigeria’s security operations and renewed public attention on Tinubu following the release of certified U.S. court documents detailing his past participation in a 1993 drug-related money laundering case. The convergence of these factors raises serious questions about the extent of foreign influence over Nigeria’s governance, particularly in security matters.

President Tinubu officially confirmed Abubakar’s resignation. The 63-year-old former two-term governor of Jigawa State (2015–2023) was appointed Defence Minister on August 21, 2023. While health was cited as the reason for his departure, the timing has prompted an investigation, given the extraordinary external pressure surrounding Nigeria’s security sector.

Although the official narrative attributes the resignation to health concerns, sources suggest that it is closely tied to U.S. security demands. President Tinubu is reportedly following directives from Trump administration advisers, including those related to resignations and key appointments. Allegations suggest the U.S. requested the removal of Defence Minister Badaru and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle before offering Nigeria collaboration against terrorism and banditry. Reports describe the U.S. as “calling the shots”, providing security assistance strictly on its terms, motivated by fears of intelligence leaks or sabotage. Abubakar’s resignation is listed as one of five actions prompted by U.S. intervention and the “outburst” of President Donald Trump.

Adding complexity, the U.S. government retains records of Tinubu’s drug case. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois released certified true copies of Tinubu’s 1993 case regarding allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering. The documents show Tinubu was involved in handling proceeds from illicit drug activities through Heritage Bank and Citibank in the early 1990s. The matter was resolved with Tinubu forfeiting up to $460,000 to U.S. authorities. The renewed visibility of these court documents contributes to perceptions of caution in Tinubu’s interactions with the White House.

The situation is further complicated by recent ambassadorial and governmental appointments that have been widely criticised for their questionable integrity. The new ambassadorial list includes nominees linked to alleged financial misconduct and controversial political histories, such as Femi Fani-Kayode, Ayodele Oke, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Mahmood Yakubu. Coupled with Tinubu’s own documented legal controversies, these appointments feed public concerns about tolerance for impunity over accountability.

Nigeria’s current political climate reflects a convergence of domestic crises and external pressures. Forced resignations and appointments influenced by U.S. security priorities, alongside the persistent shadow of Tinubu’s past court file, illustrate a leadership under intense foreign scrutiny. In key security areas, U.S. directives are shaping policy, compelling the Nigerian government to comply with external conditions to maintain critical collaboration.