Bola Tinubu has officially nominated former Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, a move announced Tuesday after the resignation of his predecessor.
The nomination was communicated in a letter to the Senate President and confirmed by the presidency’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who expressed confidence that Musa “will bring renewed leadership to the defence ministry” at a critical time for national security.
“In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday,” said Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
The nomination comes barely 24 hours after Musa was spotted at a meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa on Monday evening.
“In the letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in General Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture,” Onanuga added.
Musa, 58, previously served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until his retirement in October 2025. He has a decorated military career: commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1991, he has held key operational commands and had led counter-insurgency campaigns under operations such as Lafiya Dole and Hadin Kai.
His appointment comes just days after the former Defence Minister resigned citing health reasons — a change that coincides with increased pressure on the government to rein in escalating violence, mass kidnappings, and banditry across multiple states.
“President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation. The President will likely inform the Senate of his successor later this week,” Onanuga said.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, commended President Tinubu’s nomination of General Musa, describing him as a gallant, courageous, and exceptionally competent officer who has made significant contributions to fostering peace, unity, and national cohesion.
In a congratulatory message on Tuesday, signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, Governor Mutfwang said, “General Musa’s appointment is a fitting recognition for a man whose life embodies intellectual depth, professional excellence, discipline, and unwavering dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture,” the governor added.
Security analysts welcomed the nomination but cautioned that renewed leadership must be backed by structural reforms: “Musa’s experience is undeniable; but for real impact, there must be credible plans to overhaul intelligence, force deployment, and community-based security mechanisms,” one commentator told ANN.
As the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings, concerns remain high among Nigerians demanding swift, decisive action — and effective results — in curbing insecurity nationwide.
