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The nomination follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down from office on Monday. In an official letter addressed to Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu forwarded the name of General Musa as Badaru’s successor, expressing strong confidence in the retired general’s capacity to steer the Ministry of Defence at a critical moment in Nigeria’s security history.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally nominated retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, confirming an exclusive report earlier published by The Street Reporters Newspaper on the unfolding shake-up in the nation’s defence leadership.

Musa, 58, is one of Nigeria’s most decorated military officers, having served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. Over the decades, he built a formidable reputation for operational discipline, strategic intelligence and field leadership in counter-terrorism and internal security operations. His record of service spans some of Nigeria’s most complex military theatres, including the North-East and the Lake Chad axis.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa completed his primary and secondary education in the ancient city before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. In 1986, he enrolled at the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991 before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.

His military journey is marked by a series of high-profile and strategically critical appointments. These include General Staff Officer 1 for Training and Operations at the Headquarters of 81 Division, Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion, Assistant Director of Operational Requirements at the Department of Army Policy and Plans, and Infantry Representative to the Training Team at Nigerian Army Headquarters, Armour Corps.

In 2019, Musa further distinguished himself as Deputy Chief of Staff for Training and Operations at the Infantry Corps Headquarters, before being appointed Commander of Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole.

He later took charge as Commander of Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region, leading combined operations against insurgent groups destabilising the West and Central African sub-region.

By 2021, he was named Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the restructured counter-insurgency mission in the North-East. His appointment as Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps soon followed, laying the groundwork for his eventual elevation to the position of Chief of Defence Staff in 2023 by President Tinubu.

In his communication to the Senate, President Tinubu noted that Musa’s wealth of experience, commitment to national service, and proven leadership in complex security operations make him exceptionally qualified to oversee the Defence Ministry and contribute effectively to the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture.

If confirmed by the Senate, General Musa is expected to immediately assume office, bringing both military depth and administrative expertise to a portfolio central to Nigeria’s stability. His nomination signals the President’s determination to prioritise experience, professionalism, and decisive leadership in addressing the country’s security challenges.

With this development now officially announced, The Street Reporters Newspaper once again stands vindicated in its earlier report that Musa was being prepared to step into the role following Badaru’s departure — a move that may redefine Nigeria’s defence strategy in the months ahead.

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