Tinubu Swears In Gen. CG Musa as Nigeria’s New Minister of Defence After Senate Confirmation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the Senate’s confirmation of his nomination.
General Musa’s nomination, submitted to the National Assembly received swift approval from the Senate after a screening session that highlighted his extensive military experience and commitment to national security.
General Musa, who will turn 58 on December 25, brings to the Ministry a distinguished record spanning more than three decades of service. He previously served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025 and was a recipient of the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his early education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and immediately proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991.
Throughout his career, General Musa held several strategic positions, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director of Operational Requirements in the Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Training Team Member at Army Armour Corps Headquarters.
He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations at the Infantry Corps Headquarters in 2019; Commander of Sector 3 under Operation Lafiya Dole; and later Commander of Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin.
In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai before eventually becoming Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023 in recognition of his leadership and strategic insight.
At the swearing-in ceremony, President Tinubu expressed full confidence in General Musa’s ability to steer the Ministry of Defence and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture at a critical time.
General Musa is expected to assume duties immediately.