Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that President Bola Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as the new Minister of Defence following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.
The development was announced by President Bola Tinubu's spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who shared a post on X with a picture of the swearing-in of General Musa.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that President Bola Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as the new Minister of Defence following the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday.
The nomination was contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), on Tuesday.
The announcement confirmed SaharaReporters’ exclusive story revealing that Christopher Musa was being considered as Badaru's replacement.
According to a letter sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Presidency stated: "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Minister of Defence." The letter also noted that "President Tinubu conveyed General Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday."
General Musa, who will turn 58 on December 25, previously served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. The Presidency highlighted his distinguished military record, stating that "General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012."
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his early education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and immediately gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, where "he earned a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991."
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army the same year. The statement notes that "General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career."
Over the years, he has held several key operational and administrative roles, including General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements at the Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member of the Training Team at Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
The Nigerian Senate confirmed General Musa’s appointment on Wednesday after five hours of intense screening.