US EditionNigeria's president taps ex-top general to replace defence minister
Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria's former Chief of Defence Staff, is nominated to replace Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar amid a security emergency and over 400 recent kidnappings, officials said.
- On Dec 2, President Bola Tinubu nominated Gen. Christopher Musa, former Chief of Defence Staff, as defence minister and sent the nomination to Nigerian parliament for confirmation.
- Facing a surge of kidnappings and Islamist violence in the north, Tinubu declared a state of emergency last week after at least 402 people were abducted, including more than 200 schoolchildren still missing.
- Gen. Christopher Musa, 58, served as Chief of Defence Staff and was made to retire during a recent military reshuffle weeks before his nomination.
- Ordering redeployments to frontline duties, President Bola Tinubu also directed recruitment of 50,000 police officers, more army enlistment, and deployed forest guards to combat armed gangs.
- With Washington considering sanctions and engagement, Nigeria faces intensified pressure as the United States urges more action on unrest while Tinubu rejects U.S. claims and recently secured a security partnership.
129 Articles
129 Articles
Nigeria nominates new defense minister
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu nominated a former chief of the country’s defense staff as defense minister, against the backdrop of a security crisis that threatens bilateral ties with the US.Tinubu tapped Christopher Musa to replace outgoing Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who cited personal health reasons for his resignation a day earlier. Musa is a recently retired Nigerian army general who Tinubu removed in October when he sacked …
Senate To Screen Defence Minister Musa Today
The Senate has fixed Wednesday, December 3, 2025, for the screening of General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) as the new Minister of Defence. Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made the disclosure in a statement by his Directorate on Media and Public Affairs Tuesday. Musa’s nomination followed the resignation of the former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru. In a statement, Bamidele noted that the Senate “ is already in poss…
Nigeria's president taps ex-top general to replace defence minister
President Bola Tinubu nominated Nigeria's former top general to replace the defence minister, who resigned amid a surge in mass kidnappings and Islamist attacks in the north that has led the president to declare a security emergency.
Associated Press News
Nigeria's president nominates ex-military chief for defense minister weeks after he was forced out
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has nominated the former military chief as defense minister just weeks after he was made to step down.
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