General Christopher Musa May Replace Badaru as Nigeria’s Defence Minister

General Christopher Musa May Replace Badaru as Nigeria’s Defence Ministe

Retired General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, is reportedly poised to succeed Mohammed Badaru as Nigeria’s Defence Minister.

The development follows Badaru’s sudden resignation on Monday, citing health reasons, and Musa’s subsequent evening meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

Sources said the President may send his name to the senate by Thursday for his confirmation as the Defence Minister.

Musa, who arrived at the State House at 7:03 p.m., met with the President for the first time since his own retirement from military service on October 24, 2025. His visit came hours after the President’s office confirmed Badaru’s departure.

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retired), a highly decorated and widely respected officer, served as the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria until his retirement in October 2025. Known for his charismatic and people-centric leadership style, he earned the affectionate nickname “The People’s General” from both troops and the public for his visible frontline engagements and prioritization of soldiers’ welfare.

His career is defined by extensive command experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. Before his appointment as the nation’s top military officer, he commanded the crucial Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, the military’s largest multi-service formation battling Boko Haram and ISWAP. A seasoned infantry officer, his previous posts also included Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry and Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta.

General Musa is recognized for his advocacy of a holistic “whole-of-society” approach to security, emphasizing that military victory must be consolidated with good governance, development, and deradicalization. His retirement in 2025 followed a distinguished service spanning over three decades, and he is now poised for a potential return to national service in a strategic civilian capacity.

While an official announcement is pending, sources indicate Musa is the leading candidate to take over the defence portfolio.