President Tinubu Names Immediate Past CDS, Christopher Musa as New Defence Minister Following Badaru Abubakar’s Resignation
Emmanuel Femi Adedayo 
President Bola Tinubu has nominated immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence.
He replaces Mohammed Badaru Abubakar who resigned yesterday over alleged ill-health.
His nomination was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday. Tinubu expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to lead Nigeria’s Defence Ministry and coordinate the country’s security.
The president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed the nomination.
Part of the president’s letter to the Senate reads, “General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
“Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.
“General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.”
Musa is expected to coordinate Nigeria’s worsening security crises, with terrorists, bandits and other criminals unleashing mayhems on the nation daily.
Tinubu sacked the new nominee on October 24, and replaced him with the Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, an Army General. The president also relieved the Navy and Air Force chiefs of their duties and appointed replacements.
The minister-nominee was at the Aso Villa Monday evening for a meeting with the president.
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