President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence

Tinubu Nominates General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Minister of Defence

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff, as the new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

The announcement was conveyed in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking legislative confirmation of the retired general’s appointment. 

This nomination marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s defence leadership. General Musa, who will turn 58 on December 25, 2025, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished military officers.

He served as Chief of Defence Staff from June 2023 until October 2025, a period characterized by intensified counter-insurgency operations and efforts to modernize Nigeria’s armed forces. His distinguished career includes receiving the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012, a recognition of his professionalism and dedication to military service. 

 

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Christopher Gwabin Musa completed his primary and secondary education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and subsequently enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.

Commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant that same year, Musa steadily rose through the ranks, holding key appointments such as General Staff Officer 1 in Training and Operations, and later serving in command roles across Nigeria’s military formations. 

His nomination comes after the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down citing health reasons. President Tinubu, in his communication to the Senate, described Musa as a “tested professional” capable of strengthening Nigeria’s security framework at a time when the country continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry, and other internal security challenges. 

General Musa’s leadership style has been defined by discipline, strategic foresight, and a commitment to collaboration with both domestic and international partners. His tenure as Chief of Defence Staff was notable for efforts to enhance joint operations among the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as initiatives to improve the welfare of personnel.

Analysts believe his appointment as Minister of Defence will bring continuity to Nigeria’s security policies, while also introducing reforms aimed at consolidating gains made in recent years. 

The Senate’s confirmation process will determine the formalization of his appointment, but expectations are high that Musa’s decades of frontline military experience will translate into stronger defence policies under Tinubu’s administration.

His nomination underscores the President’s emphasis on professional military leadership to address Nigeria’s pressing security concerns. 

General Christopher Gwabin Musa’s nomination as Minister of Defence represents both a continuation of his distinguished service and a strategic move by President Tinubu to reinforce Nigeria’s defence apparatus.

His proven track record, academic grounding, and decorated military career position him as a pivotal figure in shaping the country’s security future.