President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday swore in General Musa ( rtd) as Minister of Defence.
With his swearing in, the new Defence Minister is expected to assume duty immediately as the Tinubu administration seek to consolidate recent security gains and fast – track reforms aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability nationwide.
General Musa’s appointment follows the resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday, December 1, 2025 . His nomination was announced the following day and transmitted to the Senate, where it received expedited screening and confirmation.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1991 and had distinguished military career. He was appointed by President Tinubu in 2023 and retired in October 2025.
Meanwhile, less than 24 hours after he took oath of office and sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, new Minister of Defence, General Musa ( rtd) has formally assumed office at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
On arrival at the Defence Headquarters, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General, Olufemi Oluyede, and were received by jubilant crowds, who turned out to welcome the new Defence Minister to his office.
Addressing the Ministry of Defence officials, including Service Chiefs, General Musa said that the loyalty of members of the armed forces must be first to Nigeria, Nigeria people and Commander – in Chief the bulks stopped on his table.
The Minister of Defence disclosed that armed forces must provide that support to make Nigeria peaceful, shedding of innocent blood is over as we should be able to let our children go back to their schools and farmers go back to the farms.
He then said that all Service Chiefs has his support and onerous cooperation to the armed forces to a greater heights and pride of all Nigerians. He also sought the cooperation and support of the Permanent Secretary and all Civil service to work hard efficiently to move the ministry forward.
