Who is Gen. Christopher Musa, former CDS appointed new Defence Minister

General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, is a retired Nigerian Army officer and former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) who has been appointed as Nigeria’s new Defence Minister by President Bola Tinubu.

His appointment comes after the resignation of the former Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down due to health-related challenges.

He served as Nigeria’s 18th CDS from June 2023 to October 2025 after being appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Widely respected for his professionalism, he spent nearly four decades in military service before retiring in 2025.

Background

Musa was born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto in the former North-Western State and is originally from Zangon Kataf in Southern Kaduna.

His early education began at Marafa Danbaba Primary School Sokoto in 1974 before moving to Model Primary School Dorowa Road, where he completed his primary education in 1980.

He later underwent vocational training in Gaummi, Sokoto.

In 1981, he enrolled at Federal Government College Sokoto and finished his O’ level studies in 1985.

He was an active member of the National Cadet Corps while there. He then attended the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, before joining the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1986.

Musa graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in 1991 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant the same year.

Professional courses

Over the years, he completed several professional military courses, including the Mechanical Transportation Officers Course in 1992, Young Officers Course in Infantry in 1993, Regimental Signal Officers Course in 1998, Junior Course and Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and other advanced leadership courses.

He also obtained an Advanced Diploma in Security Management from the University of Lagos, and a Master’s degree in Military Science from the International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University, China.

In 2017, he attended the Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course at the US Army War College.

Military Career

Musa held various command and staff appointments throughout his service.

He served as General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at Headquarters 81 Division, Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion, Assistant Director at Army Policy and Plans, and Infantry Representative at the Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

He rose to national prominence through his work in counter-terrorism and regional security.

He served as Commander Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.

In 2021, he became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the military operation against insurgents in the North-East.

Before his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff in 2023, Musa was Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.

Appointments

President Bola Tinubu appointed General Musa as Chief of Defence Staff on 19 June 2023, and he officially assumed the office on 23 June.

His tenure focused on joint military operations, improved coordination among the services, and strengthening Nigeria’s response to security threats across the regions.

He served until 30 October 2025 and was succeeded by General Olufemi Oluyede.

However, in December 2025, following the resignation of Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, President appointed Gen. Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Defence Minister.

Awards

General Musa has received numerous national and international recognitions, including:

Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)

Nigerian Army Medal

Grand Service Star

Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award

Field Command Medal of Honour

Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering (2022)

Nelson Mandela Exemplary Leadership Award (2022)

Fellowship of the Institute of Leadership Assessment and Development (2022)

Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nigeria Service Awards (2023)

On 31 December 2023, the Atyap Chiefdom honoured him with the traditional title Tswung Atyap, meaning “Pillar of Atyap.”