President Bola Tinubu has nominated the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd), as the new Minister of Defence. The nomination, announced on Tuesday, follows the resignation of the former minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, on Monday due to health reasons.
General Musa, 58, is a highly decorated officer who served as the 18th Chief of Defence Staff from June 2023 until his retirement in October 2025. His nomination is seen as a move by the Federal Government to ensure continuity and leverage his extensive operational experience in leading the nation’s defence portfolio.
The former defence chief brings a wealth of frontline security expertise to the role. Prior to his appointment as CDS, he was the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, leading counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram in Northeast Nigeria from 2021 to 2022. He also previously commanded Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region, coordinating joint military efforts with neighbouring countries.
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Musa, a member of Regular Course 38 of the Nigerian Defence Academy, holds a Bachelor of Science degree and has held several strategic command and staff positions throughout his career, including Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. He is a recipient of the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering (2012) in recognition of outstanding military leadership.
His nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate. The brief announcing the nomination stated that Musa’s appointment is part of the administration’s effort to maintain stability in defence leadership following the sudden exit of the former minister.
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