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The Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa (rtd.), the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. Musa’s confirmation followed a thorough screening during Wednesday’s plenary, where senators examined his military career and questioned him on national security issues. In his remarks, the former defence chief pledged total dedication to strengthening the country’s security architecture. “I believe the challenges we are facing are Nigerian challenges, not just for the armed forces or security agencies, but for everyone working together,” he said. “I want to assure you that we will win if we work as a team. Even as CDS, I tried to harmonise all the teams and service chiefs. There are gaps and constitutional lacuna affecting operations, and we will work to address them.” Read Also: Beyond the Uniform: The Leadership Path of Former CDS Christopher Musa Musa emphasised the urgent need for a unified national database to support intelligence gathering and security operations. He also called for more proactive engagement from local governments, state authorities, and the judiciary in tackling insecurity. The minister-designate reiterated his strong stance against ransom payments to kidnappers, terrorists, and bandits. “There should be no negotiation with criminals. They will never abide by it, and the money only helps them acquire more arms,” he said. Addressing allegations of targeted killings in parts of the country, Musa maintained that terrorism affects all Nigerians regardless of religion or ethnicity. “We are all victims; everybody is being killed,” he said. “We must stop the killings and unite as a nation. These are evil people on drugs, and they kill indiscriminately.” He also promised that future recruitment into the armed forces would be more rigorous and transparent. Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised Musa for his composure and detailed responses to all questions posed by lawmakers. “I have not seen any nominee who has answered all questions since 1999,” Akpabio said. “We urge you to visit the defence industries immediately after assuming office.” Following the screening, Akpabio put the nomination to a voice vote, and the Senate unanimously approved Musa as the new Minister of Defence.

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has listed the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and two state governors in its Book of Infamy, while honouring the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for his constructive engagement with the media. The Book of Infamy was unveiled on Tuesday by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the second Annual Conference of IPI Nigeria. According to the institute, the first set of individuals documented in the book includes Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, and the Inspector General of Police. IPI Nigeria said Egbetokun was blacklisted for failing to curb the arbitrary arrest of journalists by police operatives despite repeated appeals. Governor Eno was listed for barring Channels Television journalists from covering activities at the Akwa Ibom Government House, while Governor Bago was cited for ordering the closure of Badeggi FM, a privately owned radio station in Niger State. Read Also: Tinubu Nominates Former CDS Christopher Musa as New Defence Minister The institute noted that despite its interventions and appeals, both governors refused to reverse their actions. In contrast, the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, was commended for what the IPI described as his responsiveness and willingness to reverse decisions affecting press freedom. The organisation highlighted his intervention in removing Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, from the government’s watchlist after nearly four decades. Speaking at the conference, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris described an independent press as “the central nervous system of a functioning democracy.” He stressed that conversations around press freedom must be rooted in facts, adding that the Tinubu administration remains committed to safeguarding media rights. The minister stated that security agencies have been directed to operate under stricter protocols that respect journalists’ rights, including in conflict zones and during civil demonstrations. He also reiterated that the present administration continues to provide an enabling environment for media organisations to operate without fear.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as the new Minister of Defence. The nomination was conveyed in a letter sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Monday, following the resignation of the former minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. General Musa, who is 58 and turns 59 on December 25, previously served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025 and is widely regarded for his distinguished military career. He won the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012. Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa had his primary and secondary education in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Read Also: Beyond the Uniform: The Leadership Path of Former CDS Christopher Musa Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, Musa has held several key appointments in the Nigerian Army. These include General Staff Officer 1, Training and Operations at Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion; Assistant Director of Operational Requirements in the Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative on the Training Team at Headquarters Armour Corps. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training and Operations, at the Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander of Sector 3 under Operation Lafiya Dole; and later Commander of Sector 3 in the Multinational Joint Task Force operating in the Lake Chad region. In 2021, he became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, and subsequently Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff in 2023. In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed strong confidence in General Musa’s capacity to steer the Ministry of Defence and support ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.