THIS DAWN — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the name of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, to the Senate for confirmation as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.
The nomination was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The President’s communication was addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
President Tinubu expressed strong confidence in Musa’s capacity to “further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and advance ongoing reforms within the defence sector.”
General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, is widely regarded as one of the most experienced operational commanders of his generation.
He served as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from 2023 until October 2025 and is a recipient of the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering (2012), in recognition of exemplary professionalism and leadership.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his primary and secondary education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, where he graduated in 1986.
He subsequently gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy that same year, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree and earning a commission as Second Lieutenant in 1991.
General Musa’s military career spans over three decades and includes command, operational, and strategic appointments.
He previously served as:
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General Staff Officer 1, Training and Operations, HQ 81 Division
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Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
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Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans
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Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps
‘Extensive experience’
His frontline experience is extensive.
In 2019, he was:
- Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps;
- Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and later,
- Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin, where he coordinated multinational counterterrorism operations.
In 2021, Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Nigeria’s largest military counterinsurgency mission.
His leadership earned wide commendation for operational restructuring and improved coordination among security agencies.
He later headed the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before his elevation to CDS in 2023.
If confirmed, General Musa is expected to bring deep field experience and strategic insight to the Ministry of Defence at a time of evolving security challenges.
