Senate to Screen Ex-CDS Musa as Defence Minister Nominee
The Nigerian Senate has scheduled a screening on Wednesday for the former Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Gwabin Musa, who has been nominated as the new Minister of Defence.
The nomination comes after the resignation of the former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down citing health reasons.
The request for Musa’s confirmation was forwarded to the Senate by Bola Ahmed Tinubu through a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the chamber already has the President’s request, which would be read on the floor, after which the screening will commence under constitutional provisions.
Bamidele emphasized that due to the heightened security challenges the country currently faces, the screening of the nominee is of urgent national importance.
Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. His military career includes commands in several key operations and postings such as Commander, Sector 3 of the joint task force in the Lake Chad region; Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai; and Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
Observers and government officials argue that his extensive frontline and command experience make him a fitting candidate to lead the Ministry of Defence at a time when Nigeria is intensifying its fight against banditry, terrorism and other security threats.