By Achile Danjuma
President Bola Tinubu met with former Defence Minister and retired General Theophilus Danjuma at the State House in Abuja on Saturday.
The meeting, confirmed in a brief statement by the Presidency, brings together the current administration and one of Nigeria’s most seasoned military and political figures. While the specifics of their discussion were not officially disclosed, such consultations are seen as part of the President’s engagement with key elder statesmen on issues of national importance, particularly given Danjuma’s deep expertise in security and governance.
General Danjuma, who turned 87 this year, remains a towering figure in Nigeria’s history, with a career spanning military service, politics, business, and philanthropy.
A pivotal player in the nation’s political evolution, he served as Chief of Army Staff from 1976 to 1979 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. Decades later, he transitioned to democratic governance, serving as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2003 under then-President Obasanjo’s civilian administration. His influence extends back to the country’s early post-independence era, including his involvement in the events surrounding the 1966 counter-coup.
Beyond his public service, the Taraba State-born retired general is a successful entrepreneur. He founded South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), a major player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Through the TY Danjuma Foundation, he has also channelled significant resources into health and development initiatives across the country.
A consistent voice on national security, Danjuma has a history of outspoken commentary. In 2018, his call for citizens to defend themselves against militant attacks, citing a failure of the security apparatus at the time, ignited widespread national debate.