Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
The recent resignation of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Political adviser to Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s Political space. He reportedly stepped down from his position recently, reports say, due to “personal reasons,” though no further details were provided. A prominent northern intellectual and political leader, Baba-Ahmed’s resignation has stirred serious conversations about internal dynamics within Tinubu’s government, particularly given his previous clashes with some officials, including the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
Baba-Ahmed served as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the office of the vice president, Kashim Shettima, from September 2023 until his resignation. Tasked with drawing up political strategy, his functions involved navigating Nigeria’s complex regional and ethnic political dynamics. During his 17-month tenure, he played a visible role in the government, attending several high-profile engagements, including a recent national conference on democracy and good governance held in Abuja in January 2025.
Before his role as special adviser, Baba-Ahmed was a vocal member and former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), a group that advocates for the political and economic interests of Nigeria’s northern region. His appointment “was seen as an effort by Tinubu to balance regional representation and appease northern stakeholders following the 2023 elections,” one commentator said.
One of the most publicised conflicts during Baba-Ahmed’s time in office was his feud with Matawalle, which stemmed from minister’s dismissal of the NEF as a “political paperweight” after the group criticised the Tinubu government, claiming that the North had made a mistake voting for him in 2023.
In response, Baba-Ahmed said “Scathing criticism of NEF by the junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised. He could have done a better job for this administration if he identified contributions of especially northern ministers and other appointees like me to improving security and reducing poverty in the North.”
Matawalle responded by insisting that all government appointees had a duty to defend the administration. He accused Baba-Ahmed of being too sympathetic to the NEF, stating:
““Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and affinity with the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is well known. The fact now is that he is an appointee of the administration as Special Adviser and it is incumbent on him to work for the success of the government he is part of, protect and defend the government against unjust and vicious attacks from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity for myopic reasons.”
This public spat exposed deeper tensions within the administration regarding how to engage with northern political blocs. What the dispute showed was that, while some officials, like Matawalle, advocated for a more combative stance against critics, others, like Baba-Ahmed, preferred a conciliatory approach.
Though Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed officially attributed his resignation to “personal reasons,” some political observers have expressed the opinion that deepening tensions, which threatened his loyalty to core northern interests within Tinubu’s government, may have influenced his decision.
Known for his reformist approach, Baba-Ahmed may have clashed with hard-line factions in the government over critical issues such as security and economic policies affecting the North. His advocacy for a more measured, dialogue-driven strategy could have put him at odds with officials favouring a more aggressive stance.
He may have decided to leave because of his eroding influence within the government, some pundits have suggested. As the government increasingly embraced a centralised and assertive style of governance, Baba-Ahmed’s moderate position on northern affairs may have rendered him less effective in shaping policy. His nuanced perspectives, which often sought to balance regional concerns with national objectives, might have been sidelined for more uncompromising voices.
Additionally, loyalty pressures within the Tinubu administration could have played a role. The presidency has emphasised unwavering allegiance from its appointees, and Baba-Ahmed’s continued ties to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), a group that has been openly critical of the government, may have been viewed as a conflict of interest. Some political commentators believe his refusal to disown the NEF, despite serving in the administration, likely strained his relationship with key figures who expected absolute solidarity. Taken together, these factors suggest that his resignation was not merely a personal choice but a reflection of broader political undercurrents within the government.
A seasoned bureaucrat, Baba-Ahmed has had a distinguished career in public service, working in various high-ranking positions, including Permanent Secretary in the country’s civil service and Chief of Staff to a former Senate President Bukola Saraki. His reformist credentials earned him the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Given his extensive network and influence in northern politics, his resignation could signal a shift in the government’s northern strategy. If he returns to civil society or goes back to advocacy in the NEF, he may become a vocal critic of the government, particularly if economic and security conditions in the North continue to deteriorate.
Baba-Ahmed’s exit comes at a critical time for the Tinubu government, which is grappling with economic hardship, challenges with insecurity, and regional discontent. The loss of a key northern adviser could weaken the administration’s outreach to the region, especially as the 2027 elections loom.
Moreover, the public disagreement between Baba-Ahmed and Matawalle underscores a deeper ideological divide within the government—between those who favor dialogue with regional stakeholders and those who prefer a more confrontational approach. How Tinubu manages this divide will be crucial in determining his administration’s stability and effectiveness.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed’s resignation is more than just a personnel change; it reflects underlying tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape. His departure may embolden critics of the administration while also raising questions about the government’s ability to manage dissent and maintain regional balance. As the Tinubu administration moves forward, it will need to carefully navigate these challenges to avoid further fractures within its ranks.
For now, all eyes are on whether Baba-Ahmed will re-enter the political fray as an independent voice or remain on the sidelines. Either way, his exit marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s evolving political narrative.
