President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, marking a key shift in the nation’s security leadership. The ceremony took place on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following the resignation of former Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, earlier in the week.
General Musa, born in Sokoto in 1967, began his military career in 1991 when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He rose through the ranks to become Chief of Defence Staff in 2023, a role in which he pushed for stronger collaboration among the armed forces before bowing out of service in October 2025.
Speaking after the oath-taking, President Tinubu said the appointment places a renewed burden of responsibility on the retired military chief as the administration works to strengthen recent progress against insecurity across the country. “Nigeria is at a crucial stage, and we must consolidate every gain. I expect the new minister to deploy his experience and uphold the nation’s confidence,” the President stated.
Gen. Musa expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in him, pledging to sustain the momentum in defence reforms. “This is a call to further serve my country. We will intensify efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability for all Nigerians,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by prominent government officials including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Adeniyi Adegbonmire; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Also present were Mrs. Lilian Oghogho Musa, wife of the new minister; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto; and retired Supreme Court Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs.
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