The Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) , Ahmed Abubakar, has tendered his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing personal and family reasons.
The agency is tasked with overseeing foreign intelligence, counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism operations.
Formerly the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on International Affairs/International Relations, Abubakar was first appointed DG of the NIA in 2018; and in December 2021, the former Nigerian leader extended the tenure.
Abubakar submitted his resignation letter to Tinubu earlier on Saturday at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Afterwards, he told journalists: “It’s a routine thing from time to time to brief Mr President on situations, on issues and today is no exception.
“After the briefing, actually I tendered my resignation and Mr President graciously approved and accepted the resignation. I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to serve Nigeria under his transformational leadership for an extended period of 15 months which is very rare, by the way, to have the opportunity to serve 2 Presidents at a stretch, at a whole.
“So, I thanked him very well and promises to remain professionally dedicated to our country and to noble causes.
“There are quite a number of reasons one will do that (resign), some personal family issues but nothing serious actually and the friendship will continue. I discussed personally with Mr President and he understood very well.”
