The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, has formally retired from the Federal Civil Service after 22 years of dedicated and meritorious service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Aduda, who holds the distinction of being the youngest Nigerian ever appointed as a Federal Permanent Secretary, completed the mandatory eight-year tenure at just 53 years of age, seven years ahead of the statutory retirement age of 60.
His career journey, which traversed several key ministries, culminated in his stewardship at the Ministry of Defence, where he provided exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s national security and defence capabilities.
Transformative Achievements in the Defence Sector
During his tenure, Aduda championed critical reforms and institutional innovations with far-reaching implications for the Armed Forces and national defence. A press release signed by Patience Ituke, a Principal Superintendent of Press (PSP) on behalf of the Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, itemised his notable contributions as follows:
• Revitalising Nigeria’s Defence Industry: Initiating the establishment of the Defence Industry Regulatory Department within the Ministry to enhance indigenous production, promote self-sufficiency, and align with international best practices. The proposal is currently under review by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service.
• Centralising Defence Procurement: Driving the centralisation of procurement across the Armed Forces to improve transparency, coordination, and cost-effectiveness. Advanced consultations have been held with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to implement this reform.
• Reviving the Veterans’ Hospital Project: Resuscitating the long-abandoned plan for a specialized Veterans’ Hospital to provide comprehensive healthcare for retired military personnel. Discussions are ongoing with funding support from Afreximbank and proposed management by the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, USA.
• Advancing Humanitarian Demining Efforts: Advocating for an Executive Order to establish and operationalize the National Mine Action Centre within the Ministry of Defence as a parastatal institution.
In addition to institutional reforms, he also prioritised staff welfare, earning the admiration of staff unions by adopting a compassionate, people-focused leadership approach—most notably restoring staff buses that had been grounded for decades, thereby easing transportation challenges for employees.
Farewell Message
In his farewell message to staff, Aduda expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God and deep appreciation to his colleagues for their cooperation and support throughout his service.
He described his civil service journey as both “an honour and a privilege,” emphasizing that the opportunity to contribute to nation-building across different ministries was a source of deep personal fulfillment.
He urged serving officers to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence, integrity, and teamwork, stressing that the responsibilities before them are not only demanding but also opportunities to shape Nigeria’s future.
Reminding staff that “whatever we sow, we shall surely reap,” Aduda charged them to continue rendering selfless service to the nation with the fear of God. He pledged his continued support for national development even in retirement.
Handover of Leadership
Following his exit, Aduda formally handed over the affairs of the Ministry to Dr. S.M. Attah, the Director of Army Affairs Department, who will serve as Acting Permanent Secretary.
Ituke states in the press release that Aduda’s tenure will be remembered for its hallmark of innovation, discipline, and results-driven governance, leaving behind a legacy of reform and renewed capacity in Nigeria’s defence sector.
