President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria's new Minister of Defence. This significant appointment follows the resignation of the former minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Presidential Nomination and Confidence
In a formal letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, December 2, President Tinubu expressed his strong belief in General Musa's capacity to provide renewed leadership for the Ministry of Defence. The nomination comes at a critical period, as the federal government has declared a national security emergency.
Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential spokesperson, confirmed the nomination in a statement. He highlighted the president's confidence that General Musa will strengthen the nation's security architecture and bring his vast experience to bear on the current challenges.
A Look at General Musa's Illustrious Career Path
Before this high-profile ministerial nomination, the 57-year-old General from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State built an impressive career spanning several decades in the Nigerian Army. His journey through key command and staff positions prepared him for this role.
Here are ten pivotal roles General Christopher Musa held prior to his nomination as Defence Minister:
- General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at the Headquarters of 81 Division.
- Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion.
- Assistant Director of Operational Requirements at the Department of Army Policy and Plans.
- Infantry Representative and Member of the Training Team at the Armour Corps, Nigerian Army Headquarters.
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Operations at the Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps in 2019.
- Commander of Sector 3 under Operation Lafiya Dole in 2019.
- Commander of Sector 3 for the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region in 2019.
- Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the major counter-insurgency operation in Nigeria's northeast, in 2021.
- Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
- Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, a position he held until his retirement on October 24, 2025.
Reactions and Endorsements
The nomination has been met with approval from key stakeholders, particularly from his home state. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State celebrated the appointment, describing General Musa as an "illustrious son and patriot."
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Governor Sani praised the General's contributions to securing Kaduna State since May 2023. He credited Musa's "wise counsel, measured interventions, and firm support" for helping to stabilise areas previously troubled by banditry and insurgent activities.
The governor urged the Senate to expedite the screening and confirmation process, stating that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the officer's experience, clarity of purpose, and unwavering patriotism.
General Musa met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on the evening of Monday, December 1. The closed-door meeting, which occurred around 7:03 p.m., was his first with the President since his retirement from service. Dressed in a dark-green traditional northern attire, the former CDS was led into the President's office by a senior security official.
The Senate is now expected to commence the screening process for the defence minister-designate, whose extensive background in frontline security operations is seen as a major asset for the nation's defence strategy.
