President Tinubu nominates General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s Defence Minister, succeeding Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.’

Also read: President Tinubu judiciary warns against corrupt practices

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed his confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and enhance the nation’s security architecture.

General Musa, 58, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025 and received the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012. Born in Sokoto in 1967, he completed his early education locally before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria and graduating in 1986.

He enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, General Musa’s career has spanned numerous strategic appointments, including Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Headquarters Infantry Centre, and Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole’s Sector 3.

He also led the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region and served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.