Gen. Chris Musa Sworn In As New Defence Minister

Retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa has been inaugurated as the new Minister of Defense by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Musa, who arrived at the State House at about 3:47 p.m. Thursday, took the oath of office inside the President’s office before proceeding to hold a brief closed-door session with the Commander-in-Chief.

General Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday, December 1, 2025.

His nomination was announced the following day and transmitted to the Senate, where it received expedited screening and confirmation.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Nigerian Army in 1991 and had a distinguished military career. He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023 and retired in October 2025.

As Chief of Defence Staff, he championed inter-service security collaboration.

With his swearing-in, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume duties as the Tinubu administration seeks to consolidate recent security gains and fast-track reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Also in attendance were the spouse of the new Minister, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs (rtd).

The Kaduna-born former Chief of Defence Staff, who retired in October, previously served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, overseeing counter-insurgency campaigns against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast.

As Chief of Defence Staff, he coordinated joint operations across the Army, Navy and Air Force, including missions against bandit networks in the North-West and violent extremist cells in the North-Central.

A seasoned infantry officer, Musa’s service record spans multiple command and staff roles in field operations, training institutions and tri-service headquarters.

Security analysts say his appointment signals Tinubu’s intention to reassert tighter control over defence operations, improve inter-agency coordination and accelerate reforms in equipment procurement, troop welfare and intelligence systems.