From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of the immediate-past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), as the new Minister of Defence.
President Bola Tinubu presented General Musa for legislative confirmation on Tuesday, expressing strong confidence in his ability to strengthen the nation’s defence architecture and advance ongoing security reforms.
The nomination followed the resignation of Senator Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Minister of Defence on Monday.
Appearing before the lawmakers on Wednesday, Musa described terrorists as evil forces intent on harming the country and stressed that defeating insurgency would require full cooperation from all security agencies.
He also addressed public concerns about accountability following allegations by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris that military personnel had withdrawn just 45 minutes before bandits raided Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, abducting 25 schoolgirls on November 17.
“We are going to investigate fully. The Armed Forces have their procedures, and from the Defence Ministry, we will ensure continued oversight of their activities,” Musa said.
The new Defence Minister pledged to enhance coordination among security institutions to confront Nigeria’s growing security challenges effectively.
Born on December 25, 1967, in Sokoto State, Musa hails from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He completed his elementary and secondary education in Sokoto before enrolling at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, in 1986. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Infantry Corps on September 21, 1991, as part of the 38th Regular Course.
Over his career, Musa has held several key command, operational, and training appointments, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at the 81 Division Headquarters, Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion, and Assistant Director (Operational Requirements) in the Department of Army Policy and Plans.
He also served as Infantry Representative on the Nigerian Army Armour Corps Training Team.
Musa played critical roles in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps in 2019, before commanding Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole and the Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.
In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, overseeing major military operations against insurgent groups in the northeast.
He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being elevated to Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.
