Nigeria’s immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), on Thursday took the oath of office as the country’s new Minister of Defence, marking a significant milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing recalibration of the national security architecture.
The brief but solemn ceremony at the State House, Abuja, was administered by President Tinubu, who charged the newly inaugurated minister to deploy his extensive operational experience, strategic depth and institutional knowledge to strengthen Nigeria’s defence posture.
General Musa’s appointment—confirmed swiftly by the Senate on Wednesday—comes at a time the administration is deepening reforms across the security ecosystem and seeking to consolidate gains recorded in recent months against terrorism, banditry and other violent threats.
Addressing the new minister after the oath-taking, President Tinubu stressed that the Defence Ministry under Musa must prioritise synergy among the military services, accelerate ongoing reforms, and sustain momentum in joint operations nationwide. He further highlighted the need for transparent procurement processes, improved personnel welfare and deeper inter-agency cooperation.
Musa, who served until June as Nigeria’s 18th Chief of Defence Staff, is widely regarded as one of the most experienced officers of his generation. He previously commanded key counterterrorism operations in the North-East and provided strategic oversight for nationwide military engagements.
Pledging unwavering commitment to the President’s vision for a safer and more stable Nigeria, the new minister vowed to enhance operational efficiency, modernise defence capabilities and strengthen partnerships with regional and international allies.
“We will not relent. We will sustain the pressure on the enemies of the state and ensure that peace returns to every community,” he said, promising to prioritise troop morale, intelligence-led operations and collaboration with local communities.
Shortly after the swearing-in, senior government officials—including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; service chiefs; and members of the Federal Executive Council—congratulated Musa, expressing confidence that his appointment signals a new phase in Nigeria’s defence management.
General Musa’s emergence ends weeks of speculation following the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. Security analysts have welcomed the development, saying that placing a seasoned career officer at the helm could bring renewed clarity, discipline and professionalism to defence policy implementation.
With the new Defence Minister now in place, expectations are high that the Tinubu administration will push ahead with long-awaited reforms aimed at strengthening national security, boosting military readiness and deepening public confidence in the fight against insecurity.
Musa is expected to hold inaugural briefings with service chiefs and senior ministry officials in the coming days as he begins the task of reshaping Nigeria’s defence priorities for the years ahead.
