Kwara State Government has announced the death of former National Security Adviser to ex-Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former Chief of Staff to ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umar Musa Yar’Adua, Major General Abdullahi Adangba Mohammed, who passed away at the age of 86.
General Mohammed died in the early hours of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Abuja, after an age-related illness.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the deceased as a fine soldier, administrator, and community leader.
The governor, who joined family, friends, associates, and the people of Ilorin, Kwara, and Nigeria to commiserate with them on the loss, said the late General was a distinguished career and commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army.
General Abdullahi Adangba Mohammed was, at various times, Military Governor of Benue-Plateau State; Director-General of the defunct National Security Organisation (NSO); National Security Adviser to Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; and Chief of Staff to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umar Musa Yar’Adua, among other senior roles he played in Nigeria.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the death of General Mohammed was a profound loss not just to the Ilorin Emirate but to the entire nation, describing it as a painful closure of a bright page in Nigeria’s political and military history.
He sent his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the people of the Emirate, the family of the late General, and the military hierarchy.
Governor AbdulRazaq prayed to Allah to admit him into Al-Jannah Firdaus and grant the family the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
Also, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Traditional Rulers, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, expressed sadness over the demise of Gen. Abdullahi Adangba Mohammed (rtd).
In a statement by his media aide, the Emir said Gen. Mohammed, popularly known as ‘Atoto’, served Nigeria diligently in various capacities and extended opportunities to the less privileged in society.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari described the former Chief of Staff to President Obasanjo as ‘a proud indigene of Ilorin Emirate and a distinguished Nigerian who used his positions, strength, and wealth to protect and promote the heritage of the Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large.’
‘He was indeed a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian whose contributions to national unity and development knew no bounds,’ Alhaji Sulu-Gambari added.
The Emir also extended his sympathy to his immediate and extended family members, the governments of Kwara and Plateau States, as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria, over his death.
He prayed Almighty Allah to grant him absolute forgiveness, accept his shortcomings, and admit him into Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, expressed sadness over the demise of the former Chief of Staff to ex-Presidents Obasanjo and Yar’Adua, General Abdullahi Mohammed, GCON, describing him as one of the founding fathers of the University.
Prof. Egbewole, in a statement issued by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, said the management, staff, and students of the University received the news of the statesman’s death with profound sadness, considering his roles in the take-off of the University and his numerous contributions to national development.
The Vice-Chancellor, who described the late General as an illustrious son of Nigeria, recalled that the nucleus of the University began in a building belonging to the late General at G.R.A., Ilorin, where its pioneer Vice-Chancellor lived.
He added that the same building was also used as the interim operational office of the University, noting that the leasing of the building to the University by the late General at that critical time rescued the institution, which was then in desperate need of a dual-purpose accommodation for its take-off.
Prof. Egbewole also recalled the administrative support the deceased gave to the University, particularly in the early 2000s, saying that as Chief of Staff to President Obasanjo, General Mohammed was highly supportive of the administration of Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem in ensuring uninterrupted academic activities.
The Vice-Chancellor said the late General played a vital role in ensuring that the University remained open to teaching, learning, research, and community service despite external pressures.
Prof. Egbewole expressed regret that General Mohammed died at a time when the University was preparing for its Golden Jubilee, noting that both the institution and the nation would miss him greatly.
He commiserated with the Governor of Kwara State, the Emir of Ilorin, and the Alafanla Adangba family of Ilorin over the loss of the elder statesman.
He prayed to Allah to overlook his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Al-Jannah Firdaus.