President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Senate for the swift confirmation of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a post on his X handle, @officialABAT, the President noted that he forwarded Musa’s name to the upper chamber two days earlier for screening and described the retired general as “a fine gentleman” whose vast experience is critical to Nigeria’s security needs.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Senate for its expedited confirmation of General Musa yesterday. His appointment comes at a critical juncture in our lives as a Nation,” Tinubu wrote.
He added that Musa’s leadership track record and deep understanding of Nigeria’s complex security landscape make him well-positioned to advance the administration’s defence and security priorities.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.
General Musa, who recently completed his tenure as CDS, is expected to provide operational insight and continuity as the Tinubu administration intensifies efforts to strengthen national security, address emerging threats, and drive reforms across the armed forces.
Born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto, Musa attended primary and secondary school in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Throughout his career, he completed numerous professional and strategic courses in Nigeria and abroad, including programmes at the International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University (ICDS-NDU).
Musa’s service record spans counter-insurgency operations, training, policy development and strategic command. His early roles included General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at 81 Division Headquarters, Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion, and Assistant Director for Operational Requirements in the Department of Army Policy and Plans. He also served as Infantry Representative on the Nigerian Army Armour Corps training team.
His operational footprint widened in 2019 when he concurrently served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin—placing him at the centre of regional counter-terrorism efforts.
Musa was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in 2021, leading major operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff on 19 June 2023.
He served as the country’s 18th CDS until 24 October 2025, championing kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, operational reforms, improved training, and enhanced inter-agency coordination. His service earned him several honours, including the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering.
Since retiring, Musa has continued advocating national unity and security, pledging to support Nigeria’s peace and development efforts wherever required.
With his elevation to Defence Minister, observers say Musa brings more than three decades of military experience to the policy arena. His operational background, strong rapport with personnel, and deep familiarity with Nigeria’s security architecture are expected to strengthen strategic decision-making and ensure continuity in key defence initiatives at a time of heightened security challenges.
