PRESIDENT TINUBU SWEARS IN RETIRED GENERAL CHRISTOPHER MUSA AS DEFENCE MINISTER

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Retired General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. The brief ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, conducted in the President’s office. The event was witnessed by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the President of the Senate, and Rev Dr. Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese.

His swearing-in follows just one day after his confirmation by the Senate. Lawmakers approved his appointment on Wednesday following a screening that lasted more than three hours and included a rowdy session. During the questioning, General Musa was critical of past approaches to security challenges. He criticized negotiations with armed groups and questioned the reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members. “Terrorists should face stricter punitive measures,” he insisted during the session. The new minister also advocated for increased funding for military operations, noting that “essential equipment is still largely imported.”

General Musa was nominated by President Tinubu earlier this week to replace former Minister Mohammed Badaru, who resigned due to ill health. This appointment comes less than two months after General Musa was relieved of his duty as the Chief of Defence Staff. With the addition of Musa, the federal cabinet now returns to its full complement of 48 members.