President Bola Tinubu is moving to fill a critical vacancy in his security team, with former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, emerging as the leading candidate to become Nigeria's next Minister of Defence.
Defence Minister Resigns Citing Health Concerns
This major political development follows the sudden resignation of the incumbent minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. The former two-term governor of Jigawa State stepped down from his role on Sunday, 1 December 2025, citing health reasons.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, officially confirmed the resignation. He stated that President Tinubu had accepted Badaru's decision and expressed gratitude for his service to the nation. Badaru, 63, had been appointed to the crucial defence portfolio on 21 August 2023.
Onanuga indicated that the president is expected to inform the Senate of his chosen successor later this week, accelerating the timeline for a new appointment.
Why Christopher Musa is the Frontrunner
According to sources within the Presidency, General Christopher Musa is now the top contender for the position. Speculation intensified after the retired general was seen in a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu shortly before Badaru's resignation was made public.
General Musa served as the Chief of Defence Staff from June 2023 to October 2025. His tenure was marked by significant restructuring and modernisation efforts within the armed forces. He is widely credited with enhancing joint military operations and improving coordination among troops.
His extensive field experience includes serving as the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, where he led counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria's troubled North-East region. Musa frequently emphasised civil-military cooperation, advocating for security efforts to be blended with humanitarian support.
A Critical Appointment Amid Security Emergency
The search for a new defence chief comes at a period of intense pressure. Bayo Onanuga noted that Minister Badaru's departure coincides with President Tinubu's recent declaration of a national security emergency.
The president is expected to detail the full scope of emergency measures soon. With security threats escalating across the country, the choice of the next Defence Minister is poised to be one of the administration's most significant and consequential decisions.
The earlier reshuffling of military leadership in October 2025, which saw General Musa replaced as CDS by General Olufemi Oluyede, appears to have set the stage for his potential return to a senior security role in a civilian capacity.
This appointment will be closely watched as a signal of the administration's strategy to tackle the multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria.
