President Bola Tinubu has sworn in General Christopher Musa (rtd), the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The ceremony took place on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, less than 24 hours after his confirmation by the Senate.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga announced the development in a Facebook post, sharing a photo of Gen. Musa taking his oath. “General Christopher Musa takes oath of office as Nigeria’s new Defence Minister,” he wrote.
Musa’s confirmation followed a lengthy five-hour Senate screening on Wednesday, during which lawmakers questioned him extensively on national security challenges. The retired general pledged to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, improve intelligence gathering, and push for the creation of a unified national security database.
He stressed that insecurity remains a collective challenge requiring coordinated action across all levels of government.
“The challenges we face are Nigerian challenges,” he said. “We must work together. Even as CDS, I worked to harmonise the security services, and as minister, I will continue on that path.”
He condemned any form of negotiation with criminals, insisting such engagements only embolden violent groups. “Criminals never keep agreements. They use the proceeds to acquire more weapons,” he told the Senate.
On controversial allegations of Christian genocide, Musa maintained that terrorism affects all segments of the country.
“We are all victims, everybody is being killed,” he said. “These are evil people who operate without conscience.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Musa’s performance at the screening, noting: “I have not seen any nominee who has answered all questions since 1999.” The Senate then confirmed his nomination by a unanimous voice vote.
Musa takes over from Hon. Badaru Abubakar, who recently resigned from the position.
A seasoned officer, the 58-year-old general brings over 30 years of military leadership to the role. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025 and received the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa attended local schools before enrolling at the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy shortly after and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree before being commissioned into the Nigerian Army.
His career includes several key postings: Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion; General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements; Commander of Sector 3 under both Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multinational Joint Task Force; and Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.
Before becoming CDS, he also led the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
With his new appointment, Musa is expected to drive reforms aimed at modernising the defence sector and intensifying the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats nationwide.
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