President Bola Tinubu is set to nominate General Christopher Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, as the new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Badaru Abubakar due to health reasons. According to credible sources, Mr. Tinubu has finalized arrangements to replace Mr. Abubakar with Mr. Musa, succumbing to internal pressure to include a former military officer in his cabinet.
On Monday, Mr. Abubakar tendered his resignation as Minister of Defence, citing health grounds. This development has prompted the President to consider a replacement, with General Musa emerging as the preferred candidate. The former Chief of Defence Staff met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening, in a meeting that marked their first public encounter since Mr. Musa’s retirement on October 24, 2025.
The meeting, which took place at 7:03 pm, saw General Musa arrive at the State House dressed in a dark-green traditional attire with elbow-length sleeves. He was escorted into the President’s office area by a senior security official. This meeting is significant, as it suggests that General Musa is being considered for a key role in the administration, despite his recent retirement from active military service.
The nomination of General Musa as Minister of Defence is expected to be announced soon, barring any last-minute changes. If confirmed, he will bring his wealth of experience as a former Chief of Defence Staff to the role, providing strategic leadership to the country’s defence sector. The development is also seen as a response to internal pressure for greater representation of former military officers in the cabinet.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how General Musa’s appointment will impact the country’s defence policy and strategy. However, his nomination is likely to be closely watched, given his background and experience in the military. The President’s decision to appoint a former military officer to the role is also expected to have significant implications for the country’s security apparatus.
