By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.
The nomination was conveyed in a formal letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which President Tinubu expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
A Distinguished Military Career
General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, previously served as the Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025.
He is widely respected within military circles and is a recipient of the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering (2012).
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his primary and secondary education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, graduating in 1986.
That same year, he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, Musa has held several strategic positions in the Nigerian Army, including:
- General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division
- Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
- Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Army Policy and Plans
- Infantry Representative/Training Team Member, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps
Key Operational Leadership
General Musa has led some of Nigeria’s most critical counterinsurgency and military operations:
- Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Infantry Centre & 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
- Chief of Defence Staff (2023–2025)
Presidency Expresses Confidence
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu said General Musa possesses the experience and leadership required to drive ongoing reforms in the defence sector and consolidate national security efforts.
The nomination is expected to be considered by the Senate in the coming days.
A statement confirming the development was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
