In a dramatic political reversal, President Bola Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the military chief he relieved of duty just one month ago, to become Nigeria's next Minister of Defence.
A Swift Return to the Forefront
The nomination was communicated in a formal letter from the President to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. If confirmed by the Senate, General Musa will take over from Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday, December 1, 2025.
This move comes precisely one month after President Tinubu dismissed General Musa from his position as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). That dismissal was part of a sweeping overhaul of the nation's security leadership in October, a shakeup that followed widespread rumours of a failed coup attempt.
Confidence in a Seasoned Soldier
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the administration expressed strong confidence in Musa's capabilities. The statement highlighted that Tinubu believes the General will provide renewed leadership to the defence ministry at a critical juncture, as the government has declared a national security emergency.
The presidency's statement detailed the extensive career of the 58-year-old nominee:
- He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until his removal in October 2025.
- A recipient of the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
- Born in Sokoto in 1967, he was educated there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.
- He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
General Musa's career includes a series of high-profile command roles, such as Commander of Sector 3 in Operation Lafiya Dole, Commander of the Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region, and Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in 2021. He was appointed CDS by President Tinubu in 2023 after serving as Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
Security Crisis Amidst Leadership Changes
Musa's nomination unfolds against a backdrop of intensifying insecurity across Nigeria. Despite the recent change in military guard, violent attacks have persisted. In the last three weeks alone, over 350 people have been abducted in separate incidents. The victims include church worshippers, schoolchildren, and farmers from various regions.
This fresh wave of violence also followed a controversial threat from former United States President Donald Trump, who suggested a potential military invasion of Nigeria over allegations of Christian persecution.
The October shakeup saw Tinubu replace all service chiefs except the Chief of Defence Intelligence. Notably, the former Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, was repurposed and appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, the position Musa once held.
The Senate is now expected to commence screening processes for General Musa's ministerial nomination, which will determine if the recently sacked security chief makes a swift return to the heart of the nation's defence architecture.
