Newly sworn-in Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), on Thursday vowed swift progress in the fight against insecurity, assuring Nigerians that visible results would be achieved in the shortest possible time.
Musa made the pledge while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after taking the oath of office before President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He also promised to do “whatever it takes” to protect the lives of Nigerians.
“I can assure you, within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results,” he said.
The minister emphasised that his priority is to rebuild synergy across the armed forces and among security agencies, stressing that collective effort is vital to achieving lasting peace.
“My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country. The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies is important, and all Nigerians are carried along.
“As I have always said, security is everybody’s responsibility. It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on, and that’s what we’re going to do,” he stated.
Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff, said he was returning to a familiar environment and expressed gratitude for the support shown to him by Nigerians.
“I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” he said.
He added that President Tinubu had directed him to ensure security is restored across homes, farms and schools nationwide.
“I just met Mr President, and he reiterated his view that we must make sure that Nigeria is secured. Nigerians should go back and sleep with their eyes closed, go back to their farms, and schools should operate without being molested. Everyone will be carried along to ensure that Nigeria continues to grow in line with the Renewed Hope Programme of Mr President,” he said.
His remarks came a day after a five-hour Senate screening that led to his confirmation on Wednesday.
Musa succeeds Mohammed Badaru, who served from August 28, 2023, until his resignation on December 1, 2025. Thursday’s swearing-in marked Musa’s second visit to the Villa in the same week, following a Monday evening meeting with the President. Tinubu announced his nomination on Tuesday.
His appointment comes two months after his retirement during a major shake-up of the military high command on October 24, 2025.
Musa, 58, previously served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025. He received the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, he completed his primary and secondary education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1991, Musa has held several key positions, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at HQ 81 Division, Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion, and Assistant Director (Operational Requirements) at the Department of Army Policy and Plans. He also served as Infantry Representative on the Training Team at HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
In 2019, he was Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps, Commander of Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole, and Commander of Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.
He became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in 2021 before later serving as Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
In his nomination letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to strengthen the country’s defence apparatus.
His return to the nation’s security leadership comes a month after United States President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and threatened military action over alleged mass killings of Christians.
It also follows a surge in mass abductions and violent attacks across several states. In the last two weeks, gunmen have attacked schools and worship centres in Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states, kidnapping at least 490 persons.