Since the inception of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, some ministers and public office holders have been sacked and forcefully retired or resigned due to some contentious issues.
WITHIN NIGERIA took a look at some of these ministers and public office holders and their antecedents.
Jamila Bio Ibrahim
One of the ministers that received the axe of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was Jamila Bio Ibrahim. She formerly served as Nigeria’s Minister of Youth. She was appointed to the position by President Bola Tinubu in September 2023.
Before her appointment, she served as the president of the Progressive Young Women Forum (PYWF). She has also served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara state governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She was sacked on October 23, 2024 following mountain of protest against her style of leadership.
Jalal Arabi
On October 17, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of Jalal Ahmad Arabi as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson to Tinubu, said in a statement on Tuesday that the president has directed Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the outgoing chairman of NAHCON, to proceed on three-month pre-retirement leave.
However, on August 19, 2024, Jalal was sacked over allegation of N90b fraud.
Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo
Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo is a seasoned Nigerian politician and engineer from Kano State.
He was popularly known as “Ruwa Baba” for his role in transforming water infrastructure as Deputy Governor of Kano (2007–2011).
However, he was appointed Minister of State for Housing & Urban Development in August 2023. He brought local governance experience and engineering expertise to the federal housing agenda before concluding his term in October 2024.
Gwarzo was sacked on October 23, 2024.
Ajuri Ngelale
On August 1, 2023, Ajuri Ngelale was appointed as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
According to a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the appointment took effect on July 31, 2023, and will terminate at the end of this administration unless otherwise decided by the President.
On May 19, 2024, Tinubu appointed Ngelale as the first Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen and Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.
However, barely four months after his second appointment, precisely on September 7, 2024 Ngelale stepped down from his role with immediate effect.
He cited health challenges as his reason for sudden resignation.
Betta Edu
In August 2023, Edu was sworn in as minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation and the All Progressives Congress replaced her as national women leader.
However, on 8 January 2024, she was suspended from her position as the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation by President Bola Tinubu for allegedly diverting ₦585 million in ministry funds to a personal bank account.
President Tinubu asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a thorough investigation.
The investigation that followed suggested a misappropriation of public funds on a much larger scale. In April 2024, the EFCC’s chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, wrote, “As it is now, we are investigating over 50 bank accounts that we have traced money into.”
As of the EFCC’s April 2024 update, Edu had not been legally charged or fired from her position, though she had been replaced.
Aliyu Audu
Aliyu Audu, appointed in October 2023 as a Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Bola Tinubu.
However, on June 8, 2025 Aliyu Audu, resigned from his position, raising concerns about the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s push toward a one-party state.
In a resignation letter dated June 8 and submitted via the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Audu stated, “I write to formally tender my resignation as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, effective immediately.”
Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar
Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar was appointed Chief of Air staff 22 June 2023 by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, following worsening security situation in the country, he was sacked on October 30 2025.
Tahir Mamman
Mamman was appointed minister of Education by President Bola Tinubu on 16 August 2023.
Mamman Tahir was appointed as Nigeria’s 30th Minister of Education with a view to reshaping the education sector.
However, on October 23, 2024 Mamman was sacked. His removal was connected with his controversial age limit for WAEC candidates in the country
Mohammed Badaru Abubakar
Mohammed Badaru Abubakar was appointed Minister of defence on August 21, 2023.
However owing to the rising incidents of kidnapping, terrorism and banditry across the country, he resigned his appointment on December 1, 2025.
The former Jigawa state governor cited medical reasons for his resignation.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye
Uju Kennedy Ohanenye was appointed Minister of Women Affairs on 21 August, 2023.
However, she was removed on October 23, 2024 after so much controversies surrounding her office.
Her tenure was dogged by a series of public relations missteps, which ultimately led to her dismissal.
In October 2023, just two months after assuming office, Uju Kennedy threatened to sue the United Nations (UN) over what she described as the mismanagement of funds meant for Nigeria.
She alleged that the UN had collected money on behalf of the country without remitting same, a claim that prompted backlash from legal experts.
General Christopher Musa
General Christopher Gwabin Musa was born 25 December 1967.
He is a retired general. Gen. Musa was appointed minister of defence of Nigeria on 23 June, 2023.
He previously served as the 18th Chief of defence staff of Nigeria from 23 June 2023 until his removal and subsequent retirement on 30 October 2025.
Lola Ade-John
On 16 August 2023, she was appointed Minister of Tourism by President Bola Tinubu. She assumed office on 21 August 2023.
Unfortunately, her seat as Minister of Tourism was cut abruptly after being dismissed from office on 23 October 2024 by the President alongside four other ministers.
Uche Nnaji
Uche Nnaji was appointed Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology on October6, 2025.
However, he resigned from office following allegations of certificate forgery on October 6, 2025.
Nnaji resigned as minister on October 7, 2025, stating the decision was “not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process” regarding ongoing judicial proceedings. He characterized the allegations as politically motivated attacks by political opponents.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla
Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla was born 20 December 1968.
He served as a Nigerian Navy Vice-Admiral. He was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on 19 June 2023 as the Chief of Naval staff.
He was removed on 30 October 2025.
Kayode Egbetokun
Kayode Egbetokun was born on September 1964.
Egbetokun was appointed the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023.
He succeeded Usman Alkali Baba.
On 24 February 2026, Egbetokun resigned as Inspector General Of Police. He stated that the reason for his resignation is to spend more time with his family.
