Adam odili
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence during a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The development was announced in a statement signed on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu had nominated the former Chief of Defence Staff on Tuesday to replace Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday. In his letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President expressed strong confidence in Musa’s capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and lead the Defence Ministry effectively.
The Senate confirmed Musa after a rigorous five-hour screening session on Wednesday, clearing the way for his official appointment.
According to the statement, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume duties as the Tinubu administration moves to consolidate recent security gains and accelerate reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability across the country.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army in 1991. He rose through the ranks, eventually serving as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until his retirement in October 2025. During his tenure, he was known for championing inter-service collaboration and coordinated security efforts.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Also in attendance were the spouse of the new Minister, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs (rtd).
