President Bola Tinubu has commended the Senate for swiftly confirming General Christopher Musa (retd.) as Minister of Defence.
General Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), was nominated by the President on Tuesday and confirmed by the upper chamber on Wednesday after about five hours of screening.
In a statement personally signed and posted on his official X handle on Thursday, President Tinubu lauded the lawmakers and described Musa’s appointment as timely.
“Two days ago, I transmitted the name of General Christopher G. Musa, our immediate past Chief of Defence Staff and a fine gentleman, to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation as the Federal Minister of Defence.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Senate for its expedited confirmation of General Musa yesterday. His appointment comes at a critical juncture in our lives as a Nation. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
On Tuesday, the President submitted Musa’s name to the Senate to replace Mohammed Badaru, who resigned as Minister of Defence due to ill health. The nomination came less than two months after General Musa was relieved of his role as CDS.
His confirmation followed a period of heightened insecurity across the country, with mass abductions—especially in schools—becoming increasingly frequent. One such incident was the kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, shortly after security troops reportedly vacated the community.
During his screening, General Musa vowed to investigate the alleged withdrawal of troops before the attack, stressing that the military does not shy away from confronting terrorists.
“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and ministries, departments, and agencies of government,” he said while appearing in a kaftan and cap, accompanied by family members.
“We are going to investigate fully. The Armed Forces have a way, and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”