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 on health grounds. Credible sources confirm that Tinubu has finalized arrangements to replace Abubakar with Musa, responding to internal pressure to include a former military officer in his cabinet.
Abubakar tendered his resignation on Monday, prompting the President to consider a replacement. General Musa emerged as the preferred candidate and met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa that evening. The meeting, their first public encounter since Musa’s retirement on 24 October 2025, took place at 7:03 p.m. Musa arrived in dark‑green traditional attire with elbow‑length sleeves and was escorted into the President’s office by a senior security official.
The significance of the meeting lies in the implication that Musa is being considered for a key role in the administration despite his recent retirement from active service. His nomination as Minister of Defence is expected to be announced soon, barring any last‑minute changes. If confirmed, Musa will bring his extensive experience as former Chief of Defence Staff to provide strategic leadership for the country’s defence sector.
The move is seen as a response to internal demands for greater representation of former military officers in the cabinet. Observers will watch closely how Musa’s appointment might influence defence policy and strategy, given his background and experience. The President’s decision to appoint a former military officer to this role is also likely to have significant implications for the nation’s security apparatus.
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