By Peter Omopo
President Bola Tinubu has praised the Senate for its prompt confirmation of former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
The confirmation took place during Wednesday’s plenary session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following a rigorous five-hour screening exercise that assessed the retired general’s credentials, experience, and strategic vision for national security.
In a statement released on Thursday, President Tinubu expressed strong confidence in Musa’s capacity to help revamp the country’s defence architecture at a time when insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
“Two days ago, I transmitted the name of General Christopher G. Musa, our immediate past Chief of Defence Staff and a fine gentleman, to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation as the Federal Minister of Defence,” the President stated.
Tinubu thanked the upper chamber for the expedited consideration given to the nomination and described the confirmation as a crucial step toward strengthening Nigeria’s security framework.
Gen. Musa, who previously headed the Armed Forces during heightened security operations across the country, is expected to bring his experience to bear in coordinating defence efforts, boosting military reforms, and supporting ongoing counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations.
The appointment comes amid renewed concerns over rising cases of insurgency, kidnapping, and armed criminality across several states.
