President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially swore in retired General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, marking a significant reshuffle in the country’s security leadership at a time of escalating threats.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following Musa’s confirmation by the Senate after a rigorous five-hour screening session.
Musa, who served as Chief of Defence Staff from June 2023 until October 2025, takes the helm of one of the nation’s most critical offices as Nigeria grapples with rampant kidnappings, banditry and other forms of armed violence across numerous states.
During his hearing at the Senate, he emphasized the urgent need to integrate modern technology into security operations, asserting that monitoring ransom payments and establishing databases linked to individuals could curb the growth of criminal networks.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Musa’s ability to steer Nigeria’s defence architecture through the current wave of insecurity and external pressures. The new minister inherits a portfolio at a pivotal moment, underscored by international scrutiny and calls for renewed strategies to protect citizens and vital infrastructure.
As Musa assumes his new role, observers say all eyes will be on how quickly he can translate his vision for technological integration and operational reform into tangible results for Nigeria’s beleaguered security agencies.
