President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), as Nigeria’s next Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President requested the upper chamber to screen and confirm the retired general, describing him as a seasoned officer with the experience required to steer the ministry.
General Musa, who turns 58 on 25 December, served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He previously won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, he completed his primary and secondary schooling in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria.
He graduated in 1986 and was admitted to the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon commissioning in 1991.
The Ex-Defence Chief was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and went on to hold several senior appointments, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; and Assistant Director, Operational Requirements in the Department of Army Policy and Plans.
He also served as Infantry Representative on the Training Team at Nigerian Army Armour Corps headquarters.
In 2019, Musa became Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps Headquarters.
He later commanded Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole and Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.
Musa was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in 2021, subsequently heading the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before his elevation to Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.
In his correspondence to the Senate, President Tinubu said the General had demonstrated “proven leadership and strategic capability,” adding that he was confident the nominee would strengthen Nigeria’s defence posture if confirmed.
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