President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated retired Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The nomination was formally transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday through a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The announcement was disclosed in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
General Musa is to replace Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down from the Federal Executive Council on Monday due to health concerns.
Turning 58 on December 25, Musa is widely respected as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished infantry commanders. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025 and previously received the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, he attended school in the state before enrolling at the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in 1991.
Over his 30-year military career, General Musa held numerous operational and command positions across the Nigerian Army. Some of his notable roles include:
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General Staff Officer 1, Training & Operations, HQ 81 Division
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Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
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Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Army Policy & Plans
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Infantry Representative, Nigerian Army Armour Corps Training Team
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Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations), Infantry Centre & Corps
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Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole
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Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)
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Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (2021)
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Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps
He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff in 2023 by President Tinubu.
In his message to the Senate, President Tinubu stated that Musa’s leadership depth, operational expertise, and career accomplishments make him the right choice to lead the Defence Ministry as Nigeria accelerates reforms in its security architecture.
The Senate is expected to begin Musa’s screening process in the coming days.
