President Bola Tinubu has sworn in the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
This follows the resignation of Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday amid rising security concerns across the country. President Tinubu immediately forwarded Musa’s name to the Senate for screening, and the former defence chief was cleared on Wednesday after an extensive grilling on national security issues.
At the brief but solemn swearing-in ceremony at the State House, President Tinubu urged the new minister to deploy his “extensive operational experience, strategic depth, and institutional knowledge” to strengthen Nigeria’s defence posture.
The President stressed the need for greater synergy among the armed services, accelerated defence reforms, improved personnel welfare, procurement transparency, and deeper inter-agency collaboration.
General Musa, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Chief of Defence Staff until June, is widely regarded as one of the most experienced officers of his generation. He previously commanded major counterterrorism operations in the North-East and oversaw joint military engagements nationwide.
Speaking after his induction, the new minister pledged unwavering commitment to the President’s national security vision.
“We will not relent. We will sustain pressure on the enemies of the state and ensure that peace returns to every community,” he declared, promising to prioritise troop morale, intelligence-driven operations, and cooperation with local communities.
Top government officials, including National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, service chiefs, and Federal Executive Council members, congratulated Musa, expressing confidence that his appointment marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s defence management.
General Musa is expected to hold inaugural briefings with service chiefs and top ministry officials in the coming days as he begins reshaping Nigeria’s defence priorities for the years ahead
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