Tinubu seeks confirmation of Gen. Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister for Defence

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a letter to the Nigerian Senate, expresses confidence in General Christopher Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence, and further strengthen the West African country’s security architecture

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister for Defence.

President Tinubu, in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in the National Assembly (NASS), Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in Abuja, FCT, conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

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Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement Tuesday.

Alhaji Abubakar resigned his appointment on health grounds Monday, December 1.

General Musa, who will be 58 on December 25 this year, is a distinguished soldier who had served as the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from 2023 till October 2025.

He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto, in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He graduated 1986, and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna, the same year.

The immediate past CDS earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree upon graduation 1991.

General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army (NA) as a Second Lieutenant 1991, and has since had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Military.

His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.

In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai.

He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before President Tinubu appointed him the Chief of Defence Staff 2023.

Onanuga stated President Tinubu, in the letter to the Senate, expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

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