President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq have expressed grief over the death of Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba (rtd.), a former Chief of Staff to ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Mohammed, who hailed from Ilorin, Kwara State, died in Abuja around 1 a.m. on Wednesday at the age of 86.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the late senior officer as a disciplined, loyal, and patriotic figure whose service to Nigeria shaped its security and governance frameworks over several decades.
Tinubu highlighted Mohammed’s central role in the establishment of the National Security Organisation (NSO), which evolved into three major intelligence agencies: the State Security Services (SSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
He also recalled Mohammed’s tenure as military governor of the defunct Benue-Plateau State between 1975 and 1976, noting that his leadership left institutional footprints that endured long after his service.
“He was a man of exemplary character, who combined the precision of a soldier with the prudence of a statesman,” Tinubu said. “His years in the State House were marked by humility, efficiency, and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian project.”
The President extended condolences to Mohammed’s family, the government and people of Kwara State, and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq also mourned the late Mohammed, describing him as “a fine soldier, administrator, and community leader.”
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said Mohammed’s death is a huge loss not only to the Ilorin Emirate but to the entire country.
He noted Mohammed’s distinguished career, including serving as Director-General of the defunct National Security Organisation and as National Security Adviser to former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The governor conveyed condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Mohammed’s family, and the military community.
He prayed that “Allaah admit him to Al-jannah Firdaus and grant the family patience to bear the loss.”
