ABUJA – General Mohammed Abdullahi, a pivotal figure in Nigerian governance who served as Chief of Staff to two former Presidents, has passed away at the age of 86.
The former military officer, an illustrious son of the Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State, died in the early hours of Wednesday.
Although an official family statement is awaited, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, confirmed the loss in a condolence message, mourning the departure of a distinguished statesman.
It is gathered that the late General will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday, in accordance with Islamic rites.
A Legacy of Service and Leadership
In his tribute, the Emir of Ilorin expressed profound sadness, noting that Abdullahi served Nigeria diligently in various high-profile capacities and was known for extending opportunities to the less privileged.
Describing him as “a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian,” the Emir stated that Abdullahi’s “contributions to national unity and development know-no-bound.” He prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased and grant him Aljannah Firdaus (paradise).
A Storied Career in Nation-Building
Born in 1939, General Mohammed Abdullahi had a long and distinguished career in Nigerian public service, holding several key positions:
· Chief of Staff to President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and later to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2008).
· National Security Adviser to Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999).
· Director General of the National Security Organisation (NSO), the precursor to the State Security Service (SSS), from 1976 to 1979.
· Governor of the former Benue-Plateau State from July 1975 to February 1976.
His passing marks the end of an era for a generation of leaders who shaped Nigeria’s transition from military to democratic rule and steered the nation through critical periods.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on initial reports from other newspapers and a statement from the Ilorin Emirate. CDA News extends its condolences to the family of General Mohammed Abdullahi and the people of Kwara State. As this is a developing story, some details may be updated following an official family statement or further announcements from the government
