The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), barring any last-minute change, is set to become Nigeria’s next Minister of Defence, following his nomination on Monday by President Bola Tinubu.
Naijaonpoint understands that General Musa exited office on October 30, 2025.
Musa’s ministerial appointment was disclosed hours after the sudden resignation of the former Jigawa State governor and then-Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on Monday, citing health reasons.
A credible presidency source, speaking to Daily Trust on Tuesday, said the nomination followed quiet counsel from within Tinubu’s inner cabinet, as the presidency sought a defence chief with military rank recognition among active troops.
Meanwhile, Retired Brigadier General Mohammed Kabir Galadanchi, in an interview with Daily Trust, expressed confidence in Musa’s ability to support the president on internal defence and regional stabilisation.
He said, “We need somebody who has an understanding of the military in itself and its operation to help the president in executing most of the policies in dealing with this issue. C.G. Musa has been part and parcel of the training… the impartial ways and means of solving this problem.”
Highlighting Musa’s career trajectory, Galadanchi recalled that “he was commandant of Depot-Nigeria Army, where soldiers are trained to take part in operations. He was the Theatre commander, General Officer, Commanding, and he became the Chief of Defence Staff. With such credentials, Musa has all that it takes to perform.
“The people who are serving as service chiefs now… have worked with him as his subordinates, and now they are heading agencies that will come under his review. This will create synergy and understanding.”
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]