President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, stepping into the role at a time of heightened insecurity marked by banditry, insurgency, and mass kidnappings.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, December 2, a day after the sudden resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down citing health concerns.
The Senate is expected to screen Musa today, with expectations of a swift confirmation to ensure continuity and stability in the nation’s security leadership.
Musa’s return to public service comes barely a month after his retirement as the 18th Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a position he held from June 2023 to October 2025. His nomination has drawn support from former senior military officers, many of whom describe him as a disciplined strategist capable of driving reforms, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and restoring public confidence in the defence sector.
Early Life
Born on December 25, 1967, in Sokoto, Musa hails from Zangon Kataf in Southern Kaduna. He completed his primary and secondary education in Sokoto, including Federal Government College, Sokoto, where his interest in national service began to take shape.
After a brief study period at the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as part of the 38th Regular Combatant Course in 1986.
He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree and was commissioned into the Infantry Corps as a Second Lieutenant, marking the start of a distinguished military career spanning more than three decades.
Career Path
In his early years, Musa focused on infantry operations, training, and staff duties. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving in key positions such as Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion and General Staff Officer in charge of Training and Operations at the 81 Division.
His national prominence grew during the fight against Boko Haram.
From 2019 to 2021, he simultaneously commanded Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole and Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), coordinating major multinational offensives across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
He later became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast, where he led critical anti-terrorism missions, boosted troop morale, and strengthened civil-military relations.
In 2022, he was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, overseeing training, doctrine development, and operational readiness.
His Tenure as Chief of Defence Staff
Appointed Chief of Defence Staff on June 23, 2023, Musa led the Armed Forces with a focus on professionalism, joint operations, and a humanitarian-driven approach to security.
Under his leadership, operations against bandits in the Northwest intensified, and coordination between the military and civilian authorities improved.
He also pushed for reduced military involvement in political VIP escorts, arguing that frontline operations should be prioritized.
Although he retired in October 2025 during a broad military reshuffle, his swift nomination back into the nation’s security architecture highlights the administration’s confidence in his experience and leadership.
Awards and Recognition
General Musa has received several honours, including:
- Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)
- Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering (2012)
- Nigeria Service Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
- Grand Service Star and Field Command Medal of Honour
His Atyap community in Kaduna also conferred on him the chieftaincy title “Tswung Atyap” (Pillar of Atyap) in recognition of his contributions to peace and unity.
What His Nomination Means for Nigeria
With multiple security challenges stretching Nigeria’s defence capabilities, expectations surrounding Musa’s nomination are high. Analysts say his wealth of experience in counter-insurgency operations and troop management could inject renewed urgency into policy execution at the Ministry of Defence.
Former colleagues describe him as calm, thorough, and detribalized—qualities many believe Nigeria urgently needs in its security leadership.
If confirmed, General Christopher Gwabin Musa will be one of the youngest Nigerians to head the Defence Ministry since the return to democracy, and potentially a pivotal figure in efforts to restore stability and protect vulnerable communities nationwide.
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