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 on health grounds. The nomination was communicated to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for confirmation.
General Musa, 58, is a seasoned military officer with a distinguished career spanning more than three decades. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025 and is a recipient of the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012. His appointment comes at a critical time as President Tinubu recently declared a national security emergency, signaling a renewed focus on strengthening the country’s defence and security architecture.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa completed his early education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986, graduating in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant the same year, he has held numerous key positions, including Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion, General Staff Officer 1 for Training and Operations at HQ 81 Division, and Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.
He also commanded Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region and served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, at the Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps. His experience in leading complex military operations, particularly against insurgent and terrorist groups, positions him to take over the Defence Ministry during a period of heightened security challenges across Nigeria.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s capacity to lead the Ministry of Defence, strengthen Nigeria’s security framework, and advance national defence priorities. The president highlighted the general’s extensive operational experience, strategic insight, and commitment to modernizing the armed forces.
The Senate is expected to review and confirm the nomination in the coming days, after which General Musa will formally assume office and oversee the Ministry’s efforts in implementing robust security strategies nationwide.
General Musa succeeds Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, 63, a former two-term governor of Jigawa State, who resigned on December 1 citing health reasons. President Tinubu acknowledged Badaru’s contributions to national security during his tenure and thanked him for his service.
With the new nomination, the government signals continuity in addressing pressing security issues, including insurgency, banditry, and community safety, while bolstering the operational capacity of Nigeria’s armed forces.
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