Senate Confirms Ex-CDS Christopher Musa as Defence Minister

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (rtd), has been confirmed as the Minister of Defence by the Senate after undergoing screening on Wednesday for about five hours.

He was appointed as CDS in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu and retired from service in October 2025.

He was nominated as defence minister by Mr Tinubu on Monday after his predecessor, Mr Badaru Abubakar, resigned from office on Sunday night on health grounds.

Appearing before the red chamber of the National Assembly today, Mr Musa, who hails from Kaduna State, was grilled on how he intends to tackle rising insecurity in the country as an experienced security practitioner.

When asked about the speculated killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba by terrorists recently, the former CDS said he would look into the matter.

He also promised to look into the circumstances surrounding the abduction of several students of the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, on November 17, 2025, shortly after the withdrawal of troops from the school.

“It is very unfortunate and really painful. I want to assure Nigerians that we will not stand by and have terrorists have the capacity to do such.

“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (of government). We are going to investigate fully.”

In his remarks, the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, said, “The Armed Forces have a way, and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”

“I pledge to do my best to ensure that Nigeria is secure and safe,” he assured, seeking “the support of everyone, every Nigerian.”