Ofure Akhigbe
The newly appointed Minister of Defence and immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, on Friday, December 5, 2025, assumed duty at the Ministry of Defence, Ship House, Abuja.
Musa was appointed on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the resignation of the former minister, Muhammed Badaru. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
His appointment, which has been widely welcomed across various sectors, is expected to further strengthen the nation’s defence operations. Many observers have cited his record of firm and innovative leadership as Defence Chief between 2023 and 2025.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new minister arrived at the ministry at about 11:10 a.m., inspected the quarter guard in line with military tradition, and exchanged pleasantries with service chiefs and top officials on arrival.
He later went into a closed-door meeting with the service chiefs and directors of the ministry.