Christopher Gwabin Musa Sworn In As Nigeria’s Defence Minister
On Thursday, December 4, 2025, Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially administered the oath of office to General Christopher Musa (rtd.), marking the formal installation of the former Chief of Defence Staff as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence.
The brief but solemn ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja. General Musa reportedly arrived on the forecourt at about 3:47 p.m. and was ushered into the President’s office, where the oath was administered.
His swearing-in comes less than 24 hours after the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirmed his appointment, following a rigorous five-hour screening session.
In his remarks shortly after the swearing-in, Musa pledged to prioritize synergy among the armed forces and other security agencies, and promised a renewed push to address the rising tide of banditry, mass kidnappings, and other security challenges.
The appointment of a recently retired four-star general to head the Defence Ministry at a time of heightened insecurity across the country has been widely viewed as a strategic move by the Tinubu administration to bring experience and discipline back into the top echelon of national defence leadership.
