Abuja: President Bola Tinubu on Thursday officially swore in retired General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The ceremony took place in the president’s office at the State House, Abuja, marking a significant appointment in the country’s defense leadership.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the president administered the oath of office following the recent resignation of Musa’s predecessor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar. Tinubu praised General Musa as a distinguished figure with a commendable service record that positions him to enhance national security efforts. Musa, aged 58, previously served as the Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025, a period during which he led comprehensive counterterrorism operations and strengthened inter-agency coordination.
General Musa’s nomination was submitted to the Senate on Tuesday and received rapid confirmation after thorough screening on Wednesday. President Tinubu attributed this swift legislative process as a testament to the support for his security initiatives. With the swearing-in ceremony now concluded, Musa is set to undertake his ministerial responsibilities, as the Tinubu administration aims to build on recent achievements and expedite reforms for sustainable peace and national stability.
The swearing-in ceremony witnessed attendance from top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris. Post-ceremony, Musa addressed State House Correspondents, emphasizing his commitment to enhancing cooperation among the Armed Forces to combat terrorism and insecurity across Nigeria.
General Musa stated, “My immediate priority is to ensure that defense takes its rightful place in the country. The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies, along with the involvement of all Nigerians, is crucial as security is a collective responsibility. This synergy is what we need to build and improve upon, and I assure you that Nigerians will witness results in the shortest possible time.”
He further expressed gratitude to Nigerians, acknowledging their support and promising to work tirelessly to secure the nation. “I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” Musa affirmed.