By Bavoriat Clara
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially sworn in General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, General Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday, December 1, 2025. His nomination was announced the next day and swiftly transmitted to the Senate, which conducted expedited screening and confirmation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Nigerian Army in 1991 and rose through the ranks in a distinguished military career. He served as Chief of Defence Staff, appointed by President Tinubu in 2023, before retiring in October 2025. During his tenure as CDS, he championed inter-service security collaboration across the armed forces.
With his swearing-in, General Musa is expected to immediately take charge of the Defence Ministry, supporting the Tinubu administration’s efforts to consolidate security gains and accelerate reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.
The ceremony was attended by key government and security officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Also present were Mrs. Lilian Oghogho Musa, spouse of the new Minister; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and retired Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs.
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