Tinubu Picks Battle-Tested General Musa To Command Nigeria’s Defence
By Passman Akpos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the name of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, to the Senate for confirmation as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
The nomination, contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, follows the resignation of the immediate past Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Monday.
According to the State House announcement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed strong confidence in General Musa’s capacity to strengthen the nation’s defence structures and lead ongoing security reforms.
General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, is a highly decorated officer with a career spanning more than three decades. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025 and previously won the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree, after which he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
Over the years, he has held several strategic command and staff positions, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion; Assistant Director for Operational Requirements in the Army Policy and Plans Department; and Infantry Representative on the Training Team at the Nigerian Army Armour Corps Headquarters
General Musa also served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Corps Headquarters in 2019, Commander of Sector 3 in Operation Lafiya Dole, and later Commander of Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.
In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, leading major counter-terror operations in the Northeast. He subsequently became Commander, Infantry Corps, before his elevation to Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
President Tinubu, in his letter, said his nomination reflects the administration’s commitment to consolidating gains in the fight against insecurity and building a more resilient national defence framework.
General Musa’s appointment is now subject to Senate screening and confirmation.
