Nigeria’s Minister of Defence and retired General, Christopher Musa, has revealed that he faced intense opposition and plots against his progress throughout his years in the military, including during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Speaking at a religious gathering over the weekend, the former CDS reflected on his military journey, the challenges he encountered, and how faith helped him overcome difficult moments. He said some individuals within the system believed they had successfully stalled his advancement and brought his career to an end.
“There were times people conspired against me and thought they had already won. They believed my story was over,” Mr Musa said.
According to him, the resistance he faced was sometimes so strong that his opponents were confident they had succeeded. However, he said events later proved otherwise.
“But God had a different plan. What they meant for evil, God turned around for good,” he added.
The Defence Minister noted that the plots did not stop early in his career but persisted even when he rose to the highest levels of military leadership, including his time as Chief of Defence Staff, before his retirement from active service.
He explained that the experiences taught him patience, resilience, and the importance of relying on faith rather than personal connections, particularly in a competitive system where rivalry is common.
Gen. Musa urged Nigerians, especially young officers and public servants, not to despair when faced with challenges, stressing that setbacks do not always signify failure.
“When things don’t go your way and you think it’s the end, it may simply be a redirection. If you stay focused and upright, your time will come,” he said.
He also stated that his current role as Minister of Defence provides another opportunity to continue serving the nation, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
