Ex-Chief of Staff Abdullahi Mohammed Dies at 86

Major General Abdullahi Mohammed (retd.), a former Chief of Staff to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, has died at the age of 86. He passed away around 1 a.m. on Wednesday in Abuja.

Born in 1939 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Mohammed was a respected soldier, administrator, and public servant. Family sources confirmed his death, describing it as a major loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the military, and the country.

Mohammed began his military career after graduating from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, in 1958. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and served in several key positions within the Nigerian Army. He was the Director of Military Intelligence and took part in the 1975 coup that led to the removal of General Yakubu Gowon from power and the rise of General Murtala Mohammed’s government.

Following the coup, he was appointed Governor of Benue-Plateau State and served in that capacity between July 1975 and March 1976. Later, during General Obasanjo’s military regime, Mohammed became the Director-General of the National Security Organisation, which later evolved into the Department of State Services (DSS). He held that position until 1979, when he retired from the army.

After his retirement, Mohammed went into private business, becoming the Managing Director of Atoto Press Limited, a printing company based in Ilorin. His influence extended beyond business into national service once again when, in 1998, he was appointed National Security Adviser by then Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He played a key role during the country’s transition from military to civilian rule in 1999.

When democracy returned, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Chief of Staff, a role he continued under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua until he stepped down in 2008. His long service made him one of the most trusted aides in Nigeria’s political history.

Throughout his career, Mohammed was known for his discipline, loyalty, and quiet influence in national security and governance. He was respected for his deep understanding of military and political affairs, which earned him the trust of several leaders.

The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) expressed deep sorrow over his passing, noting that he was a role model to many and a pioneer in various fields. Mohammed was the first son of Ilorin to become a state governor and also the first to attain the rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army.

The union also remembered his long-standing support for community projects and his efforts to promote development in Ilorin. Condolence messages have poured in from across the country, including from President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Abdulsalami Abubakar, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Prayers have been offered for the repose of his soul, with many remembering him as a patriotic Nigerian who served with dedication and left a lasting legacy in both military and civil service.