The Senate has confirmed that it will screen former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Wednesday following his nomination as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement released through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.
Bamidele described the upcoming screening as a crucial measure toward enhancing national security and safeguarding internal stability.
General Musa was nominated after the former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, resigned his position due to health concerns.
President Bola Tinubu formally submitted Musa’s name to the Senate on Tuesday in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to Bamidele, the Senate has received the president’s request and will read the communication during Wednesday’s plenary before moving directly to the screening, as required under Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution.
“We cannot afford any delays, especially at this critical time. This matter goes to the heart of our national security, ensuring that government maintains strong operations against terrorism, banditry, extremism, and other threats that endanger our nation,” he said.
He added that President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency demands strong collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government.
“The screening of this ministerial nominee is part of strengthening that cooperation in the interest of peace, stability, and effective governance,” he noted.
General Musa, who turns 59 on December 25, is a highly decorated military officer. He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025.
Before that, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in 2021 and later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, prior to his appointment as CDS in 2023.
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