Retired General Christopher Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, formally assumed duty on Friday as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence at the Ministry of Defence.
His resumption comes two days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him to replace former minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on health grounds amid rising security concerns.
Musa, whose appointment was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday following an intense screening session, arrived at the ministry at about 11:10 a.m. He inspected the quarter guard in line with military tradition before exchanging courtesies with service chiefs and top ministry officials. He later proceeded to a closed-door meeting with the military hierarchy and directors of the ministry to begin immediate briefings.
The former CDS, who led the Armed Forces from 2023 until his retirement in October 2025, is regarded as one of the most experienced counter-terrorism commanders in the country.
His appointment has been widely welcomed across the defence sector, with several stakeholders describing him as a “practical hand” capable of stabilising Nigeria’s security architecture.
His return to public service also follows a tense period in the nation’s security landscape. Badaru’s resignation last week coincided with a spike in mass abductions, rural attacks, and targeted killings across Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Sokoto and Kogi states.
During Wednesday’s Senate screening, lawmakers grilled Musa over recent lapses in security coordination, particularly the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. The withdrawal preceded the abduction of several schoolgirls on 17 November, a development that provoked public anger and renewed questions over operational decision-making within the military.
Musa assured the Senate that a full investigation into the incident would commence as soon as he assumed office. He also pledged to probe the killing of Brigadier-General Musa Uba and other targeted attacks on senior military officers.
Speaking shortly after being sworn in at the State House on Thursday, the new defence minister said his immediate priority was to rebuild synergy among Nigeria’s security agencies.
“Security is everybody’s responsibility. My goal is to strengthen partnerships and make sure all Nigerians are protected,” he told journalists.
He emphasised that Nigerians should feel “tangible improvements” in their daily lives as the ministry intensifies coordination in internal security operations.
President Tinubu, who administered the oath of office, tasked Musa with delivering measurable outcomes under the Renewed Hope security agenda. The President’s decision to hand the portfolio to a seasoned military professional marks a notable shift from the political leadership that previously steered the ministry.
Before rising to the position of CDS, Musa served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, where he led major counter-insurgency campaigns against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East. His tenure was characterised by aggressive field operations, joint-service coordination, and strategic reforms aimed at strengthening troop morale and territorial dominance.
Upon his resumption on Friday, Musa reportedly told top defence officials that his mandate was clear: securing homes, farmlands, schools, and highways.
He added that Nigerians must be able to “go about their daily activities without fear,” stressing that the ministry would prioritise intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation, and swift operational responses.
His appointment also comes at a sensitive moment internationally. Nigeria was recently re-designated by the United States as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religiously targeted attacks, adding further pressure on domestic security institutions to demonstrate accountability and results.
