President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday formally swore in retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence during a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
General Musa’s appointment comes after the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on December 1, 2025. His nomination was immediately forwarded to the Senate, where he underwent an expedited screening process and was confirmed without delay.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and went on to build a distinguished career across key operational and command roles. President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023, a position he held until his retirement in October 2025.
During his tenure as CDS, he was known for promoting stronger coordination among the military services and enhancing joint operational effectiveness.
With his swearing-in, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume office as the Tinubu administration intensifies efforts to consolidate recent security gains and push forward reforms aimed at strengthening peace and stability across the country.
The ceremony was witnessed 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, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Also present were Mrs. Lilian Oghogho Musa, spouse of the new Minister; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto; and retired Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated December 4, 2025.
