PRESIDENT TINUBU NOMINATES GENERAL CHRISTOPHER MUSA AS NEW MINISTER OF DEFENCE
– Njenje Media, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.
The nomination was formally communicated in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, where President Tinubu urged the Senate to confirm the distinguished military officer, expressing strong confidence in his capacity to strengthen the nation’s defence architecture.
General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, brings with him decades of experience in military leadership. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. His illustrious career has earned him national and international recognition, including the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto State in 1967, Musa completed his early education in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and immediately entered the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991.
Over the years, General Musa has held several key command and staff appointments, including:
- 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, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps
- Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Infantry Centre and Corps (2019)
- Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole
- Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force, Lake Chad region
- Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (2021)
- Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps
His appointment as Chief of Defence Staff in 2023 under President Tinubu marked the peak of his military career before his new ministerial nomination.
In the letter to the Senate, President Tinubu praised General Musa’s leadership record and reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s defence and security systems.
The Senate is expected to consider the nomination in the coming days.
Njenje Media will bring further updates as this story develops.
