…Kaduna Gov Weighs In
….New defence success depends on President Tinubu, not Gen. Musa’- HURIWA
….defence ministry needs experienced hand — Shehu Sani
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. His nomination was transmitted to the Senate in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and announced on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The appointment comes just days after Mohammed Badaru Abubakar resigned as Defence Minister, a departure the Presidency attributed to health challenges.
Profile of the Nominee
General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on December 1, hours before Badaru’s resignation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa attended primary and secondary school in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991, the same year he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
He has held several key military appointments, including:
General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations, HQ 81 Division
Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion
Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Army Policy and Plans
Infantry Representative, Training Team, Nigerian Army Armour Corps
He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations), Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3 Operation Lafiya Dole; Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region; and Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. In 2012, he received the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering.
Tinubu, in his letter to the Senate, expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to strengthen the nation’s defence architecture.
‘Success Depends on Tinubu, Not Musa’ — HURIWA
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has said that the performance of the Defence Minister–designate will depend largely on President Tinubu’s political will to confront insecurity.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA welcomed Musa’s swift nomination but warned that “competence alone will not deliver results without decisive backing from the Presidency.”
“The President must grant the minister the free hand to implement a holistic security strategy. Without clear direction and empowerment from the Commander-in-Chief, progress will be limited,” the group stated.
HURIWA urged the Senate to expedite Musa’s confirmation and advised the nominee to “hit the ground running” by pursuing quick-win reforms aimed at reducing terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
The group also asked the Federal Government to prioritise terror financing investigations, intelligence-driven operations, and improved accountability across security agencies.
Defence Ministry Needs Experienced Hand — Shehu Sani
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, also weighed in, saying the Defence Ministry requires a seasoned leader in view of Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
Writing on his verified X handle, Sani said:
“Whether the Defence Minister resigned or was removed, the ministry needs an experienced hand to lead in view of today’s exigencies. Nigeria has a proud military history — from the World Wars to peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Lebanon, and Sudan. The nation should be able to defend itself against criminal bandits and terrorists.”
Sani welcomed Musa’s nomination, noting that his background — including commanding Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Hadin Kai, and the Multinational Joint Task Force — makes him a strong candidate for the role.
Kaduna Governor Hails Nomination
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has described Musa’s appointment as “well-deserved, timely, and a reaffirmation of excellence.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, the governor commended President Tinubu for what he termed “a profound vote of confidence” in the retired general’s integrity and competence.
Governor Sani said he worked closely with Musa during his time as Chief of Defence Staff, praising his discipline, strategic clarity, and humane leadership — qualities he credited with improving security in Kaduna.
“For us in Kaduna State, General Musa’s nomination evokes deep gratitude,” the governor said. “His wise counsel and firm support were instrumental in stabilising communities that once faced serious security challenges.”
He urged the Senate to fast-track the screening and confirmation process, saying Nigeria stands to benefit greatly from Musa’s experience and patriotism.
