President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar
Tinubu Nominates Former CDS, General Christopher Musa, as New Minister of Defence
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The nomination was formally conveyed to the Senate on Monday in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
General Musa is nominated to replace Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned his ministerial position earlier in the day.
According to the President, General Musa’s wealth of experience, distinguished military record, and strategic leadership make him the ideal candidate to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture.
General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025. His service record also includes winning the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, he completed his primary and secondary education in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and immediately entered the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, he rose through the ranks with key postings, including General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division, Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion, Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans and Infantry Representative/Training Team Member, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps
In 2019, Musa served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps Headquarters, Commander of Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole, and later Commander of Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin.
He became Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, in 2021 before being appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. President Tinubu later appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s capacity to deliver on national defence priorities and further fortify the nation’s security framework.
The nomination now awaits Senate confirmation. Read More
