President Bola Tinubu nominated retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
The nomination follows the resignation of the current Defence Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds in a letter dated December 1, 2025.
General Musa, who served as the 18th Chief of Defence Staff from June 23, 2023, until October 24, 2025, visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja on the evening of December 1, 2025.
The meeting marked his first engagement with the President since leaving active military service and fueled speculation that he was being lined up to replace Badaru.
The President is expected to forward Musa’s nomination to the Senate for confirmation.
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The appointment comes as Nigeria faces rising security challenges, including increased insurgency and kidnapping incidents, underscoring the government’s intent to place an experienced military leader at the helm of the Defence Ministry.
During his tenure as CDS, Musa oversaw national security operations, managing the armed forces and coordinating counter-insurgency efforts.
Analysts say his confirmation would strengthen Nigeria’s security framework and provide continuity in military leadership amid heightened security concerns.