Abuja – The newly appointed Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, officially took office on 5 December 2025 at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, just 24 hours after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his inaugural remarks, Musa assured that defence will take its rightful place in the nation, emphasizing that this will be achieved through synergy between the armed forces, other security agencies and all Nigerians.
“It is that synergy we will build and work on. I assure you that within the shortest possible time Nigerians will see results,” he said. He added, “We must work together as Nigerians to make our country better.” The minister stressed the need for unified action and strategic coordination, warning that the Ministry must not allow gaps between policy formulation and implementation.
“This Ministry will serve as a powerhouse of strategic direction and relentless accountability,” Musa declared. “We must continue to support our troops, who sacrifice their lives day and night to ensure that Nigerians sleep peacefully.” He pledged to work closely with the Service Chiefs, expressing confidence that their cooperation will take the Armed Forces to greater heights.
Musa also highlighted the importance of training, equipment procurement and leveraging technology, and called for collaboration with allies and other security agencies. He thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the welfare of personnel, strengthening national security and advancing defence reforms.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, described the minister’s assumption of office as a significant moment for the defence sector. “We stand ready to work diligently under your guidance holding the highest standard of professionalism, integrity, discipline and accountability,” he said, adding that the appointment reflects the nation’s confidence in Musa’s experience and capability.
Pheelangwa noted that the task ahead is herculean but expressed optimism that Musa’s wealth of experience as both a seasoned civilian and military leader will advance the ministry’s efforts. He said the management and staff are committed to supporting the new leadership as it steers the defence architecture of the nation.
The ceremony was attended by service chiefs, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, directors and staff of the Ministry, among others. Enderline Chukwu, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, signed the press release on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations.
