Tinubu Nominates Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as New Minister of Defence

December 3, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the sudden resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.

The President formally communicated the nomination to Senate President Godswill Akpabio in a letter delivered on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

In the statement titled “President Tinubu Nominates General Christopher Musa as the New Minister of Defence”, the Presidency described Musa as a “distinguished soldier” whose decades of service, leadership experience, and operational expertise positioned him as the ideal candidate to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture at a time of persistent national security challenges.

Military Career

General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, is one of Nigeria’s most experienced military officers, having served as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from 2023 until October 2025. His long and decorated career reflects an experience in counterterrorism operations, joint-force coordination, and defence administration.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed both his primary and secondary education in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) that same year. He completed his training in 1991, earning a Bachelor of Science degree before being commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant.

The newly nominated minister has held several high-level appointments across Nigeria’s security and defence institutions. These include:

• General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division
• Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
• Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans
• Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps

General Musa’s operational footprint extends significantly across Nigeria’s conflict-prone regions. In 2019, he served as:

• Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, HQ Infantry Centre and Corps
• Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole
• Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Region

He rose to national prominence in 2021 when appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s flagship counterinsurgency operation in the Northeast. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, before President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023. His service earned him international recognition, including the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Tinubu Expresses Confidence in Musa’s Leadership

President Tinubu, in his message to the Senate, emphasized General Musa’s vast experience and strategic capability, expressing strong confidence in his ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and “further strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.”

The nomination is expected to be received warmly from lawmakers, particularly as the country grapples with rising insecurity, military overstretch, and the need for reforms in defence procurement, operational coordination, and human rights accountability.

If confirmed, General Musa will face the immediate task of stabilizing security operations, improving inter-agency synergy, and restoring public trust in Nigeria’s armed forces. His appointment signals the administration’s intention to recalibrate the nation’s defence leadership during a crucial period.

A New Chapter for Nigeria’s Security Sector

With a profile defined by frontline experience, high-level command roles, and institutional knowledge accumulated over more than 30 years, General Musa’s nomination has already sparked conversations within defence circles.

Supporters argue that his combat-seasoned background will bring renewed discipline and strategic clarity to the ministry. Critics, however, stress that structural reforms, not just new leadership, are needed to reverse Nigeria’s deepening security challenges.

As the Senate prepares for screening, the nomination marks a pivotal moment for the Tinubu administration and the country’s broader security landscape.

Should he be confirmed, General Christopher Gwabin Musa will assume one of the most consequential positions in Nigeria’s federal cabinet, at a time when strong, accountable, and visionary leadership in the defence sector is more urgently needed than ever.