President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence,

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar earlier this week.

In a formal letter addressed to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu officially presented General Musa as his choice to take over the crucial national security portfolio. The President described the retired military chief as a highly competent and widely respected officer whose track record makes him suitable to steer the Ministry of Defence at a time when Nigeria continues to face evolving security challenges.

A Seasoned and Highly Decorated Military Officer

General Musa, who will turn 58 on December 25, is widely recognized within the Nigerian Armed Forces for his professionalism, courage, and strategic leadership. He previously served as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from 2023 to October 2025, during which he led several reforms aimed at improving joint military operations, intelligence coordination, and troop welfare.

His exceptional service earned him international recognition, most notably the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012, an honour given to officers who demonstrate exemplary leadership, discipline, and operational excellence.

Early Life & Education

Born in Sokoto State in 1967, Christopher Gwabin Musa completed both his primary and secondary education within the state. Known for his academic discipline and leadership qualities from a young age, he proceeded to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, where he completed further academic studies in 1986.

That same year, he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of Regular Course 38. He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant.

Distinguished Military Career

Over the span of more than three decades, General Musa has held numerous strategic, command, and instructional positions within the Nigerian Army. Some key appointments include:

General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, Headquarters 81 Division

Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion

Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans

Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team at the Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps

His operational experience expanded significantly between 2019 and 2021, especially in the Northeast and Lake Chad Basin. He served as:

Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Infantry Centre and Corps Headquarters

Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole

Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), coordinating multinational operations involving Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger

In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, the lead military operation against insurgency in the Northeast. His leadership earned him widespread praise for improving troop morale, strengthening civil-military relations, and enhancing operational outcomes.

He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being elevated to Chief of Defence Staff in 2023 by President Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Confidence in His Appointment

In the nomination letter, President Tinubu expressed strong confidence that General Musa’s wealth of experience, strategic mindset, and deep understanding of Nigeria's security landscape will be critical in strengthening the nation’s defence architecture, modernizing military capabilities, and improving inter-agency coordination.

The President urged the Senate to give prompt consideration to the nomination in the interest of national security and stability.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information an

d Strategy)

December 2, 2025