● President Tinubu appoints former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as Defence Minister
● Musa to replace Mohammed Badaru, who resigned over health concerns
● Presidency forwards nomination to Senate as Musa is set to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
The appointment was announced on Tuesday through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the nomination has been forwarded to Senate President Godswill Akpabio for legislative approval. Musa is to replace Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on Monday, citing health-related reasons.
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General Musa, 58, is a seasoned military officer who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. Born in Sokoto in 1967, he completed his early education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant the same year, Musa rose through the ranks, holding several strategic command and staff roles across the Nigerian Army.
His career includes postings as General Staff Officer 1, Training and Operations, Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative at the Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
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Musa also served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training and Operations, Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander of Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander of Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin. In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, before later becoming Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023, a position he held until his retirement in October 2025.
In his communication to the Senate, the President expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to reinvigorate the Ministry of Defence and strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
