Abuja, Nigeria – Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has resigned his position.
Dr. Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), reportedly tendered his resignation approximately two weeks ago. While the specific reasons for his departure remain undisclosed, sources indicate he cited “personal grounds.” It remains unclear whether President Tinubu has formally accepted the resignation.
Appointed in September 2023 to the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Dr. Baba-Ahmed has been a prominent figure, representing the presidency at numerous public events over the past 17 months. These events include a recent national conference in Abuja themed, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” held between January 28th and 29th, 2025.
Criticism and Clash with Minister Matawalle
Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s tenure was not without its controversies. Notably, he faced criticism from Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defense. The apparent rift stemmed from differing views on the role of northern appointees in the Tinubu administration.
In April 2024, Minister Matawalle seemingly targeted Dr. Baba-Ahmed when he asserted that northern appointees should actively defend the Tinubu administration against intimidation and misrepresentation. This statement followed Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s critique of Matawalle’s dismissal of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) as a “political paperweight.” Matawalle’s remark was triggered by the NEF’s assertion that the North had erred in voting for President Tinubu in the 2023 elections.
Dr. Baba-Ahmed had countered that Minister Matawalle could have better served the administration by highlighting the achievements of northern appointees, including his own, rather than attacking the NEF.
Matawalle retorted, arguing that government appointees have a responsibility to defend and promote the administration they serve. He further emphasized that Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s well-known affiliation with the NEF should not preclude him from actively working towards the success of the Tinubu government.
“Every appointee of President Tinubu, including Dr. Baba-Ahmed, owes the government a duty to promote, elucidate, and advance its good works and commendable efforts across all sectors,” Matawalle stated.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed: A Profile
Born on September 11, 1955, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed is a retired senior civil servant and former Chief of Staff to former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Hailing from Kaduna State, he is a practicing Muslim with a notable career in public service and governance.
Educated at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the London School of Economics, and the University of Sussex, he holds a PhD.
He began his career as a lecturer at the then University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) before transitioning to the Kaduna State Civil Service and later to the Federal Civil Service, ultimately reaching the rank of Permanent Secretary.
During his distinguished career, Dr. Baba-Ahmed served as Permanent Secretary in various capacities, including in the Presidency and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He also held the position of Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Secretary to the Kaduna State Government. He was awarded the national honor of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) for his contributions to governance.
Before his appointment as Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Baba-Ahmed served as the Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), where he was known for his outspoken views on policies affecting the North and other regions of Nigeria. His resignation marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the Tinubu administration, and the search for his replacement is expected to begin shortly.
