Christopher Musa Biography as Tinubu Nominates Him as New Defence Minister
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence. This announcement comes just a day after the presidency confirmed the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down due to health reasons on Monday, December 1, 2025.
In a letter sent to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu recommended General Musa as Badaru’s replacement. According to the presidency’s statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the President described Musa as a “distinguished soldier” who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from 2023 to October 2025. He also won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
General Christopher Musa, who will turn 58 years old on December 25, was born in Sokoto in 1967. He completed his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria, graduating in 1986. That same year, he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
In 1991, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant. Over the years, he has held several key appointments, including:
- General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division
- Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
- Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans
- Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps
General Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025. Earlier, in 2019, he was Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations), Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.
In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, and later became the Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before President Tinubu appointed him CDS in 2023.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that General Musa will strengthen national security and provide effective leadership at the Ministry of Defence.
Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, ranging from banditry to terrorism. While Boko Haram was the dominant threat for years, other groups such as ISWAP and Lakurawa have emerged. These issues intensified pressure on the government, especially after Tinubu declared a national security emergency following widespread attacks and kidnappings.
Former Minister Badaru Abubakar resigned at a time when cases of violence and insecurity were on the rise. The government is still battling extremist groups in the north-east and criminal gangs in the north-west and central regions, with threats from bandits and Islamist extremists worsening.
General Christopher Musa’s nomination signals a new chapter as the country continues its fight to restore peace and stability.
