Appointment of General Christopher Musa as Defence Minister: Issues beyond the euphoria, by Ayuba Ahmad
While many would have been taken aback by the news of the sudden resignation of the erstwhile Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar on the 1st of December, 2025, not as many discerning minds would have been convinced by the reason of health given by the former minister for his dramatic exit from office.
Similar to the resignation of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the national chairman of the APC, Badaru had not been known to have any debilitating ailments that would have led to the decision to abruptly and voluntarily relinquish the strategic portfolio of Defence Minister.
As it soon became clear that Ganduje was eased out of office, it did not take long before it became obvious to the public that the immediate past Minister of Defence was sacked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In other words, he was one of the latest and, so far, biggest casualties of the state of emergency recently declared by the President on security. Several such should be expected in the days ahead.
Perhaps, what turned out to be a surprise was the announcement of General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the replacement for Muhammed Badaru. Why General Musa, who was relieved of his position of Chief of Defence Staff barely one month earlier? Was he sacked for incompetence, or found wanting in certain other areas of his responsibilities?
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Coming in the wake of a widespread rumour of an attempted military coup, speculations were rife that the President’s decision to sack General Musa, along with the heads of the Navy and the Air Force, might have been the outcome of their action or inaction regarding the alleged coup plot. If he had been shown the door based on the foiled putsch, what then, is the rationale for asking him to take charge of the entire national security architecture as Defence Minister?
Or, as it is being said in many informed circles, President Bola Tinubu had tactically dropped General Musa as the CDS, with a view to elevating him to the position of Defence Minister in compliance with the constitutional requirements that an occupant of that office must be a civilian.
Whatever the reasons that informed the choice of General Christopher Musa, the thunderous ovation and show of support the appointment has received from a broad spectrum of Nigerians is, for once, a glowing testament of popular approval for the President’s decision.
We at Neptune Prime are on the same page with the opinion held by many that the appointment of General Christopher Musa ranks as one of the most appropriate in the entire gamut of political appointments made in the last two years of Tinubu’s presidency. It is as fitting as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”
From his commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant at the end, his sojourn at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1991, his trajectory in the Infantry Corps of the Army has been a phenomenal journey of challenges and landmark achievements. He rose from being a platoon commander to higher command positions such as General Staff Officer 1, Training and Operations, 81 Division of the Army.
From 2019 to 2025, he was in the northeast of the country, engaged in the campaign against insurgency. He began his six-year tour of duty as Commander Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; Sector Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force and finally Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. In 2025, he was posted to head the entire Army Infantry Corps from where he was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff on the 19th of June, 2025.
Based on his rich track record, Nigerians are optimistic that with General Christopher Musa on the saddle, the nation will experience a paradigm shift from the lingering, unbridled reign of insecurity in all its ramifications.
It is a positive note that General Christopher Musa appears to be conscious of the high expectations of the public. That much he indicated during his screening by the Senate through the many inspiring vibes and responses to questions.
General Musa declared before the Senate:
“I want to assure Nigerians that I understand the situation and what is required.
“I will ensure that we monitor all activities of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to guarantee their professionalism.
“We can win this war but we must work together. We need support as gaps within the Armed Forces currently hinder complete operational success.
“From day one, we will monitor and review all activities and operations, taking necessary measures to address any shortcomings, and also recognise that addressing funding gaps will be challenging.”
Without wasting time on frivolous celebrations, pomp and pageantry, the new Defence Minister went straight to work soon after he was sworn in by the President. During his inaugural address to the military and civilian staff of the ministry, Musa reiterated the primary and strategic vision and mission goals during his tenure:
“We cannot operate in silos. We cannot allow gaps between policy and execution.
“The shedding of innocent blood must end. Our children deserve to return to school. Farmers must return to their farms.
“Many of these issues require both kinetic and non-kinetic solutions—justice, equity, fairness and good governance.
“I expect the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and urgency. There will be zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline and indolence.”
General Christopher Gwabin Musa has, so soon in the day, reinforced the general perception of him as a clear-sighted and thoroughbred professional soldier. With characteristic few but pungent words that hit at the heart of the matter, he has shown, between his Senate appearance and his inaugural address to the staff of the ministry, that there is a new dawn in the nation’s beleaguered security sector. As the Christian saying goes: “A Daniel has come to judgment.”
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Nigeria at this point in its experience as a nation, could not have hoped for a better Minister of Defence. So much different from the groping, drab and lacklustre performance of the preceding era.
We can only echo the words of advice given by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, urging the new Defence Minister to be firm, resolute, committed, and to prioritise the nation’s interests above others. In his
words:
“Advising the Commander-in-Chief inquires firmness and commitment…Your role is critical and we pray for your success.”
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