President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Badaru Abubakar on health grounds.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu conveyed the nomination in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday. Musa, 58, met with the President at the Villa on Monday, a day before his nomination. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until his retirement in October 2025 and previously commanded major counterterrorism operations, including Operations Lafiya Dole and Hadin Kai.
Tinubu expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to strengthen the nation’s defence system. Abubakar, a former Jigawa State governor, stepped down at age 63, and Tinubu has thanked him for his service.
The development comes as the federal government intensifies security measures under a nationwide emergency, including recruiting 20,000 new police officers, deploying forest guards, and boosting protection for schools and worship centres.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang praised Musa’s nomination, calling him a disciplined and accomplished officer with a strong record in promoting peace and national unity.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu held a closed-door security meeting on Tuesday with Service Chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies amid rising global scrutiny. The U.S. recently redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution, prompting security talks between Washington and a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti was also seen at the Villa, though it is unclear if he attended the meeting. Otti has recently visited detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and expressed interest in pursuing his release.
