MINISTERIAL BRIEF // PUBLIC RECORD FILE MOD-CGM-2025 · OPEN SOURCES

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APPOINTED MINISTER OF DEFENCE 04 DEC 2025 PRIOR 18TH CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF 2026 DEFENCE BUDGET DEFENDED BEFORE NASS THREE STRATEGIC COMMITTEES INAUGURATED APR 2026 NATIONAL HONOUR OFR APPOINTED MINISTER OF DEFENCE 04 DEC 2025 PRIOR 18TH CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF 2026 DEFENCE BUDGET DEFENDED BEFORE NASS THREE STRATEGIC COMMITTEES INAUGURATED APR 2026 NATIONAL HONOUR OFR

Federal Republic of Nigeria · Ministry of Defence

General Christopher GwabinMusa (RTD), OFR

BORN 25 DEC 1967 · SOKOTO // ORIGIN ZANGON KATAF, KADUNA
NDA 38TH REGULAR COURSE · COMMISSIONED 1991 · SERVICE 1986–2025
PRIOR 18TH CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (2023–2025)

FIG.01 — HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE, OFR

Years of Service

1986 → 2025

NDA Course

Regular · Commissioned 1991

CDS Tenure

Jun 2023 → Oct 2025

National Honour

OFR

Order of the Federal Republic

Profile

// Frontline commander → defence chief → cabinet minister

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR is a retired Nigerian Army general who has served as Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 4 December 2025. He was previously the 18th Chief of Defence Staff, from 23 June 2023 until his retirement on 30 October 2025.

Born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto, he hails from Zangon Kataf in Southern Kaduna State. He enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 as a member of the 38th Regular Course, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in 1991.

A career infantry officer, he built a reputation as a frontline counter-terrorism commander — culminating in his appointment as Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI in the North East in 2021, and later Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. He was nominated Minister of Defence by President Bola Tinubu following his retirement.

2nd Lt

1991

Maj Gen

2021

Lt Gen

2023

General

CDS → MOD

Service Record

// Chronology of appointment and high command

1991

Commissioned

2nd Lieutenant — NDA 38th Regular Course.

2019

Sector 3 Commander

Op LAFIYA DOLE / MNJTF, Lake Chad.

2021

Theatre Commander

Operation HADIN KAI, North East.

2022

Commander, Infantry Corps

Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.

2023

Chief of Defence Staff

18th CDS — Jun 2023, confirmed Jul.

2025

Minister of Defence

Appointed by President Tinubu.

Operational Command

// Counter-insurgency & joint operations leadership

OP // HADIN KAI

Theatre Commander

Overall command of the North East counter-insurgency theatre against Boko Haram and ISWAP (2021).

▸ North East Nigeria

OP // LAFIYA DOLE

Sector 3 Commander

Sector command in the counter-terrorism campaign across the Lake Chad basin (2019).

▸ Borno / Lake Chad

MNJTF

Sector 3 Commander

Multinational Joint Task Force operations across the Lake Chad Region with regional partners.

▸ Lake Chad Multinational

CMD // INFANTRY

Commander, Infantry Corps

Headquarters command of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps prior to elevation to CDS.

▸ Nigerian Army

Engagements & Record

// Command, ceremonial & official engagements

Education & Courses

// Professional military & academic development

1986–91

BSc (Hons) — Nigerian Defence Academy

NDA · 38th Regular Course

2000

Junior Staff Course

AFCSC Jaji

2004–05

Senior Staff Course

AFCSC Jaji

2007–08

Advanced Diploma, Security Management

University of Lagos

2012–13

MSc Military Science · Defence & Strategy

ICDS-NDU · China

2017

Joint Land Component Commander's Course

US Army War College

Ministerial Mandate

// Defence policy priorities · 2026 fiscal cycle

Priority // 01

Hardware Modernization

Strengthening Armed Forces capability through procurement of advanced technology and equipment, per the 2026 budget proposal before the National Assembly.

▸ 2026 Defence Budget

Priority // 02

Personnel Welfare

Sustained focus on the welfare of personnel and veterans, with strategic committees inaugurated to strengthen institutional frameworks.

▸ Veterans & Welfare

Priority // 03

Integrated Border Security

Technical committee convened to review options and recommend an integrated border security system for Nigeria (April 2026).

▸ Border Security System

Priority // 04

Strategic Partnerships

Strengthening Nigeria's defence architecture through enhanced training, partnerships and inter-service coordination.

▸ Training & Cooperation

Honours & Awards

// National decorations & international recognition

Officer of the Order of the Federal RepublicOFR

Grand Service Star

Field Command Medal of Honour

Nigerian Army Medal

Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award

Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering2022

Nelson Mandela Exemplary Leadership Award2022

Fellowship, Institute of Leadership Assessment & Development2022

Nigeria Service Awards — Lifetime Achievement2023

Tswung Atyap — "Pillar of Atyap"2023