President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
Tinubu announced the appointment in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, naming Musa as the replacement for Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday citing health concerns.
In the letter, the President expressed strong confidence in Musa’s ability to reposition the defence ministry and strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
According to the statement, “General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, is a highly decorated officer who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025. He received the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
“Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his primary and secondary education in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and joined the Nigerian Defence Academy that same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.
“He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since built an outstanding military career.”
The nomination was confirmed in a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
“In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.
“In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.”
