President Bola Tinubu has moved to reshape his security team by nominating former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s next Minister of Defence.
The decision signals a continued push to reinforce the nation’s security leadership with officers who have deep operational experience and long-standing institutional knowledge.
Presidential aides confirmed that the nomination was formally transmitted to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, paving the way for legislative screening.
The development follows the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down from the role on Monday.
Tinubu described Musa as a “firm hand in turbulent times,” stressing that the retired general has the strategic insight needed to stabilise ongoing security operations.
A senior administration official added that the president “wants someone who understands both the battlefield and the bureaucracy,” noting that Musa fit that profile.
General Musa, 58, previously served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025, a period marked by major counterinsurgency campaigns and regional security coordination.
His leadership earned him commendations within and outside Nigeria, including the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Although widely recognised today for his national impact, Musa’s story began in Sokoto, where he was born in 1967.
He completed his early education in the state before heading to the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.
In 1986, he enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991, the same year he earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.
His career spans more than three decades across command, training, and intelligence roles. He served as General Staff Officer for Training and Operations at the 81 Division, led the 73 Battalion as Commanding Officer, and later worked in the Army Policy and Plans Department as Assistant Director of Operational Requirements.
He was also a member of the training team at the Nigerian Army Armour Corps headquarters.
Musa’s field reputation grew during his deployments across the North-East and the Lake Chad Basin. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Operations at the Infantry Centre and Corps in 2019, before taking command of Sector 3 under Operation Lafiya Dole.
He subsequently led Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force, where he coordinated joint missions aimed at disrupting terror networks around Lake Chad.
His operational record led to another elevation in 2021, when he became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.
From there, he rose to command the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps and eventually assumed office as Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu emphasised that Musa’s nomination reflects a commitment to “sustaining momentum against all security threats” and strengthening the defence establishment.
A military analyst in Abuja remarked that the appointment “signals continuity in the security sector,” arguing that Musa’s return could help refine ongoing reforms.
The Senate is expected to begin screening procedures soon, setting the stage for a transition that could shape Nigeria’s defence priorities in the coming months.
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