President Bola Tinubu has put an end to speculations by formally nominating retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence. The announcement — conveyed in a letter from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Senate President Godswill Akpabio — comes on the heels of the resignation of the former Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
General Musa, age 58, now heads the list of official candidates to steer Nigeria’s defence ministry. He is being proposed precisely as Badaru’s replacement after the latter stepped down on health grounds.
General Musa has served the Nigerian military with distinction over decades. He was appointed as Nigeria’s 18th Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in June 2023, a post he held until October 2025.
• Born on December 25, 1967 in Sokoto, Musa entered the military via the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), graduating in 1991.
• Over the years, he held multiple high-responsibility roles including commanding battalions, serving as General Staff Officer focusing on training and operations, and various key assignments in the infantry and operational planning corps.
• In 2019 and beyond, he oversaw critical operations: as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations at the Infantry Centre; Commander of “Sector 3” operations under the multinational task force in the Lake Chad region; and — in 2021 — Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai, Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign in the Northeast.
Observers note that his prior service as CDS was marked by a push for professionalisation, joint operations, and enhanced civil-military cooperation.
Security Challenges and Badaru’s Resignation
The timing of this nomination comes amid heightened national security concerns: increasing banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks across several states. These challenges have put immense pressure on the federal government’s security architecture.
Former Minister Badaru’s resignation, formally tendered on December 1, 2025, was officially attributed to health reasons; the Presidency accepted it and expressed gratitude for his service.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu described General Musa as a “tested professional,” expressing confidence in his ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
If confirmed by the Senate, General Musa’s move from retired service chief to Defence Minister could signal a shift towards a more militarily experienced leadership of Nigeria’s defence strategy. Given his track record — especially in counter-terrorism and joint operations — expectations are high that he can bring renewed vigor to tackling the mounting security crisis.
At a time when the government is actively shaking up the security establishment, the appointment reflects what many see as a push for stronger military-informed leadership.
Below is the statement announcing Musa’s nomination:
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU NOMINATES GENERAL CHRISTOPHER MUSA AS THE NEW MINISTER OF DEFENCE
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.
General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.
General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.
In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.
In the letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information and Strategy)
December 2, 2025
