President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (rtd), as Nigeria’s new Defence Minister. The inauguration took place on Thursday at the State House, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds. President Tinubu subsequently forwarded Musa’s name to the Senate for confirmation as Badaru’s replacement.
During his Senate screening on Wednesday, Musa addressed questions regarding Nigeria’s volatile security landscape. He expressed confidence that the country possesses the capacity to overcome insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry—provided there is holistic collaboration across all levels of government and security agencies.
He emphasised that with adequate manpower and unity of purpose, Nigeria can defeat criminal elements terrorising various parts of the country.
“With the right number of boots on the ground, what is required is for Nigeria to work as a united country to defeat the criminals,” he told lawmakers.
Musa urged state governors and other political office holders to work closely with the Armed Forces, stressing the need for modern technology, intelligence sharing, and sufficient budgetary support to strengthen counter-terrorism operations.
“We can win this war, but we have to work together. If we collaborate with one another, it is very possible. Everyone — state governors — we have to be on it,” Musa said.
The new Defence Minister also pledged to review existing security strategies and conduct a holistic investigation into incidents where military operations may have been compromised. He referenced the recent controversy surrounding the alleged withdrawal of troops from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, shortly before terrorists abducted 24 schoolgirls two weeks ago.
Musa’s appointment marks a pivotal moment in the government’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s defence architecture amid rising insecurity nationwide.
