By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. This appointment follows the recent resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar from the position on Monday, citing health reasons.
The nomination was officially conveyed in a letter dispatched to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday. The choice of General Musa was subsequently confirmed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In his communication to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed profound confidence in General Musa’s demonstrated capacity to lead the Defence Ministry and strategically strengthen Nigeria’s overall security framework.
The official statement highlighted General Musa’s distinguished career profile: General Musa, who will mark his 58th birthday on December 25, is a recognized and decorated soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. His career is distinguished by international accolades, notably receiving the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa’s educational and military foundation began with his enrolment at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986, leading to his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1991.
His career spanned numerous critical strategic and command appointments, including General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division, and Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion. His experience in combat leadership is particularly notable, encompassing command roles such as Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, and subsequently Commander, Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region. In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, where he directed major counterterrorism operations across the North-East before his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
The nomination is now before the Senate for legislative screening and confirmation proceedings.