Tinubu Swears In Ex-CDS Musa As Defence Minister

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in General Christopher Musa (retd.) as the new Minister of Defence.

Musa arrived at the forecourt of the Villa at about 3:47 p.m. and was ushered into the President’s office.

Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, took the oath of office on Thursday at the State House, Abuja.

The Senate had on Wednesday confirmed Musa as Minister of Defence following a rigorous five-hour screening.

During the session, the former CDS was grilled over recent security lapses, including the controversial withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before schoolgirls were abducted on November 17.

He told lawmakers he would “immediately set up a full-scale investigation” into the troop withdrawal once he assumes duty.

Musa also vowed to probe the killing of Brigade Commander Brig-Gen. Musa Uba in Borno State, along with other attacks on senior military officers.

Musa’s nomination followed the resignation of former Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, on Monday, on health grounds.

His nomination was announced the following day and transmitted to the Senate, where it received expedited screening and confirmation.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army in 1991 and had a distinguished military career.

He was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023 and retired in October 2025. As Chief of Defence Staff, he championed inter-service security collaboration.

With his swearing-in, the new Defence Minister is expected to immediately assume duties as the Tinubu administration seeks to consolidate recent security gains and fast-track reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Also in attendance were the spouse of the new Minister, Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs (rtd).

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