Tinubu Names Ex-CDS Christopher Musa as New Defence Minister

President Bola Tinubu has put forward Christopher Gwabin Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, as Nigeria’s next minister of defence. The nomination was sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio following the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.

According to Bayo Onanuga, the president’s adviser on information and strategy, Tinubu expressed confidence that Musa would provide strong leadership for the ministry at a time when the country is operating under a national security emergency. Musa, 58, previously led the armed forces from 2023 until October 2025 and received the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, he completed his early education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduating in 1991, the same year he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. His career has spanned key operational and command roles, including General Staff Officer 1 for Training and Operations at 81 Division, Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion, and Assistant Director in the Department of Army Policy and Plans.

Musa also held major field commands. In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Operations at the Infantry Centre and Corps, led Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole, and commanded Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region. He became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in 2021 and later led the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.

His nomination was submitted less than a day after he held a private meeting with Tinubu at the State House on Monday evening.