President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
The appointment follows the resignation of the former minister, Mohammed Badaru, on Monday.
Badaru, the former governor of Jigawa State, stepped down amid mounting concerns over the nation’s worsening security situation.
Upon accepting Badaru’s resignation, President Tinubu promptly nominated General Musa, sending his name to the National Assembly for confirmation.
Musa appeared before the Senate on Wednesday, where he was thoroughly questioned on security issues, before being duly cleared and confirmed.
At the brief but solemn swearing-in ceremony, President Tinubu tasked Musa with leveraging his extensive operational experience, strategic expertise, and institutional knowledge of the Armed Forces to enhance Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The President highlighted that under Musa’s leadership, the Defence Ministry must prioritise synergy among the services, accelerate reforms, and maintain momentum in ongoing joint operations.
He also underscored the need for procurement transparency, improved personnel welfare, and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
General Musa, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Chief of Defence Staff until June, is widely recognized for his leadership in counterterrorism operations in the North-East and strategic oversight of nationwide military engagements.
He pledged unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s vision for a safer, more stable Nigeria.
“We will not relent. We will sustain the pressure on the enemies of the state and ensure that peace returns to every community,” Musa stated, promising to focus on troop morale, intelligence-led operations, and collaboration with local communities.
Following the induction, senior government officials, including National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the service chiefs, and members of the Federal Executive Council, congratulated the new minister, expressing confidence that his appointment marks a new era in Nigeria’s security management.
In the coming days, Musa is expected to hold inaugural briefings with service chiefs and top ministry officials as he begins reshaping Nigeria’s defence priorities for the future.
