President Tinubu's Political Adviser, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Resigns The political adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr
Sources within the presidency substantiated to Daily Trust that Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), submitted his resignation about two weeks ago. However, as of the time of saying, it continues unclear whether the presidency has formally accepted his resignation.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima in September 2023. Throughout his tenure, he represented the presidency at various public events, containing the national conference themed: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” held in January 2025 in Abuja.
Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s role within the presidency had attracted occasional criticism. A notable point of contention arose in April 2024, when Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, castigated northern appointees, containing Baba-Ahmed, for failing to uphold the administration in the midst of accusations of misrepresentation.
Matawalle took aim at Baba-Ahmed’s criticisms of the NEF, egregiously Baba-Ahmed’s response to Matawalle’s dismissal of the group as a “political paperweight.” Baba-Ahmed had proposed that Matawalle should focus on emphasizing his own achievements as a minister rather than assaulting the NEF.
In response, Matawalle insisted that government appointees, containing Baba-Ahmed, had a duty to encouragement and uphold the administration.
“Every appointee of President Tinubu, containing Dr. Baba-Ahmed, owes the government a duty to canvass, elucidate, and advance its good works and commendable efforts across all sectors,” Matawalle prioritised.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed (born September 11, 1955) is a seasoned public servant with extensive experience in Nigeria’s governance and civil service. He hails from Kaduna State and is a practicing Muslim.
Baba-Ahmed holds a PhD and has studied at institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the London School of Economics, and the University of Sussex. He commenced his career as a lecturer before transitioning to the civil service, where he served in various capacities, containing as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.
He held prominent positions throughout his career, containing Secretary to the Kaduna State Government and Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Baba-Ahmed’s contributions to governance earned him the national honor of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Before his appointment as Special Adviser to the President, Baba-Ahmed was the Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), a position where he frequently voiced his opinions on policies affecting the North and the broader Nigerian populace.
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Published 4/4/2025