President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally nominated retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence. The nomination comes shortly after the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down amid health concerns.
This move marks a possible return to direct military-career leadership for the defence ministry at a time when the country faces mounting security challenges. The nomination was transmitted in a letter from the President to the Senate, asking them to consider and confirm General Musa as Badaru’s successor. 
General Musa carries with him an extensive military résumé spanning three decades. He was born on December 25, 1967, in Sokoto State. He attended early schooling in Sokoto before enrolling in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986; he was commissioned into the army in 1991.
Over the years, he has held numerous key operational and command positions. These include roles such as General Staff Officer for Training and Operations at HQ 81 Division, Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion, and Assistant Director of Operational Requirements in the Army Policy and Plans Department.
In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Training/Operations at the Infantry Corps Headquarters, and later commanded Sector 3 of both Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region, positions that placed him at the frontline of Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.
In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Nigeria’s major counter-insurgency campaign. His performance in this role helped to define his reputation as a capable and hands-on leader in asymmetric warfare and internal security operations.
His service as Nigeria’s 18th Chief of Defence Staff spanned from June 2023 until October 2025. During that period, he emphasised modernisation, civil-military cooperation, and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s defence architecture.
General Musa is also a decorated officer with multiple honours. Among his accolades are the Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering, awarded in 2022; the Nelson Mandela Exemplary Leadership Award; national honours such as the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR); and various military medals recognising his service in operations, leadership, and training.
If confirmed by the Senate, his appointment could signal a renewed emphasis on professional military leadership at the helm of defence, particularly as Nigeria grapples with widespread insecurity across multiple regions.
Samuel Aina