Tinubu meets ex-Defence Minister TY Danjuma at Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday received former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), at the State House, Abuja.

The Presidency disclosed the meeting in a brief statement, though details of their discussions were not made public.

Over the years, Nigerian leaders have often sought Danjuma’s counsel on issues of national significance, owing to his vast military background and standing as an elder statesman.

Danjuma, 87, served as Chief of Army Staff from 1976 to 1979 under former Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, and later as Minister of Defence between 1999 and 2003 during Obasanjo’s civilian administration.

A native of Taraba State, the retired general played a prominent role in Nigeria’s political history, including the July 1966 counter-coup that ushered in the administration of General Yakubu Gowon.

Beyond his military career, Danjuma is a leading figure in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry through South Atlantic Petroleum and is widely recognised for his philanthropic efforts under the TY Danjuma Foundation.

He has also remained vocal on national security issues. In 2018, he stirred public debate when he urged Nigerians to defend themselves against armed attacks, alleging that security forces were not doing enough to protect vulnerable communities.