Gen. Musa, who turned 58 on December 25, is one of the most decorated officers of his generation. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.
The nomination was conveyed in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who is expected to read the communication at plenary and refer it to the appropriate committee for screening.
Gen. Musa, who turned 58 on December 25, is one of the most decorated officers of his generation. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025 and won the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his primary and secondary education in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, graduating in 1986. He immediately gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year and earned a Bachelor of Science degree before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991.
Since joining the Army, he has risen through the ranks with a career marked by high-profile command and staff appointments. His postings include General Staff Officer 1, Training and Operations, Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements at the Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative on the Training Team at the Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
In 2019, Musa played key roles in counterinsurgency operations as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps, Commander of Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole, and later Commander of Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.
He was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in 2021, leading major operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP, before heading the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. In 2023, President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff, a position he held until earlier this year.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence that General Musa’s extensive experience and leadership will “further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture” as he takes charge of the Defence Ministry.
The Senate is expected to commence the confirmation process in the coming days.