By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Nigerian Senate has unanimously confirmed former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence following a rigorous screening session on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Musa’s confirmation coming just a day after he was nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu follows the resignation of the previous defence minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on medical grounds.
During the roughly five‑hour screening, senators interrogated Musa over recent security lapses across the country, including the abduction of schoolgirls from a government girls’ school in Maga, Kebbi State.
In response, Musa pledged swift investigations and promised to restore discipline and accountability within the military.
In his acceptance remarks, Musa emphasised the need for a coordinated, “whole‑of‑government” approach to address Nigeria’s insecurity from banditry and insurgency to mass kidnappings and cross‑border threats.
With his confirmation, General Musa now heads the Ministry of Defence at a critical time when Nigeria grapples with escalating violence and rising public demand for effective security reforms.
