JUST IN: General Christopher Musa Sworn In as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence

By Emmanuel Kwada 

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, one day after the Senate confirmed his nomination.

The brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa marked the culmination of a swift transition triggered by the sudden resignation of the former minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on health grounds. General Musa, until his retirement on 30 October 2025, served as Chief of Defence Staff.

Speaking after administering the oath, President Tinubu described Musa as “a tested patriot with deep operational experience,” adding that his appointment would strengthen coordination in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.

The Senate screening on Tuesday lasted over five hours. Lawmakers questioned the nominee on defence funding, equipment procurement, and cross-border threats. Musa pledged to prioritise local production of military hardware, seal intelligence gaps, and deepen collaboration with neighbouring countries. Senators eventually cleared him unanimously.

Born 25 December 1967, General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1991.

A member of Regular Course 38, he holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy and a Master’s in Military Science from China’s National Defence University. He previously commanded Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast and served as Chief of Defence Staff from June 2023 until October 2025.

His appointment comes amid escalating insecurity across multiple regions: renewed Boko Haram attacks in the Northeast, mass abductions in the Northwest, and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

In his acceptance remarks, Musa called for national unity, stating: “Insecurity does not discriminate by tribe or faith; our response must be united and decisive.”

The new minister is expected to appear before the National Assembly next week for the 2026 defence budget defence. Observers say his immediate priorities will include tackling delayed salary payments for troops and accelerating delivery of recently acquired platforms.