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Tinubu Taps Former Military Chief Musa as Defence Minister in Major Security Shake-Up

In a decisive move to steer Nigeria's security strategy, President Bola Tinubu has nominated retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, as the new Minister of Defence, placing a seasoned battlefield commander at the helm of the nation's defense policy.

President Bola Tinubu has turned to a familiar face from the barracks to lead Nigeria's defense establishment, nominating retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence. The nomination, communicated to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Monday, follows the resignation of the former minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru.

General Musa, who served as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from June 2023 until his retirement in October 2025, brings an unusual profile to the role: a career soldier with nearly four decades of uniformed service stepping directly into the political cockpit of defense planning. His tenure as CDS was marked by a push for greater inter-service collaboration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force under the "Joint Task" doctrine, a philosophy now expected to shape his ministerial approach.

A Commander’s Resume in a Time of Crisis

The nomination is widely seen as a strategic, operational-focused choice for a nation grappling with a multifaceted security crisis. Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa is a decorated infantry officer whose career has intersected with Nigeria's most persistent conflicts. He commanded the multinational joint task force in the Lake Chad region and served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the epicenter of the war against Boko Haram and ISWAP.

His recognition with the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012 underscores a career praised for tactical acumen and leadership. Analysts suggest his immediate experience on the front lines provides an intimate, current understanding of the challenges facing troops—from equipment shortages to the evolving tactics of insurgent groups—that a civilian appointee might lack.

The nomination also signals President Tinubu's preference for stability and continuity in his security team during a critical period. By appointing a recently retired CDS, the President ensures the Defense Ministry is led by someone fully conversant with the ongoing operational plans and institutional relationships he helped build.

The Senate is expected to commence confirmation hearings shortly, where General Musa will likely face questions on his vision for defense reform, the fight against terrorism, and how he plans to leverage his unique background to secure the nation.

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