President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday swore in retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of former Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on December 1, 2025.
His nomination was forwarded to the Senate the following day, where he received swift screening and confirmation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a second lieutenant in 1991.
He rose through the ranks over a distinguished career and was appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by President Tinubu in 2023. He retired from service in October 2025.
During his tenure as CDS, Musa was credited with strengthening inter-service collaboration and enhancing joint security operations across the country.
With his new appointment, Musa is expected to immediately take charge of defence matters as the Tinubu administration intensifies efforts to consolidate gains made in recent security operations and accelerate reforms aimed at achieving long-term peace and stability nationwide.
Several top government officials attended the swearing-in ceremony, 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 National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Also present were Musa’s wife, Mrs. Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto; and retired Supreme Court Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs.