Abuja – December 2, 2025
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.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
General Musa, 58, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He is a recipient of the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering (2012).
Born in Sokoto in 1967, he completed his primary and secondary education locally before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, graduating in 1986. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, General Musa has held key appointments including:
General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division
Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans
Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps
In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps, Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole, and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.
He later became Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, and was appointed Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
General Musa’s nomination underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security framework under experienced leadership.
