A former Chief of Staff to ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Major General Abdullahi Mohammed (retd.), has passed away. He died in the early hours of Wednesday, around 1 a.m., in Abuja. He was 86.
Family sources confirmed his death to, describing it as a monumental loss to the Ilorin Emirate, the Nigerian military community, and the nation at large.
Born in 1939 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Mohammed had a distinguished military and public service career that spanned several decades.
He attended the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1958.
Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become one of Nigeria’s most respected military officers. Following his retirement from active service, Mohammed continued to serve the nation in various capacities, culminating in his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 — a position he retained under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua until 2008.
Throughout his career, Mohammed was widely regarded for his discipline, patriotism, and quiet efficiency. His leadership style earned him the respect of colleagues, subordinates, and political leaders alike.
Tributes have begun to pour in from across the country, with many describing him as a patriotic officer and statesman who served Nigeria with distinction and honour.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
