In a pivotal move to bolster the nation’s faltering security apparatus, Retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa was officially sworn in today as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, capping a whirlwind nomination process that underscores President Bola Tinubu’s aggressive push to combat rampant terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings.

The ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marked the culmination of Musa’s rapid ascent following his nomination by Tinubu on December 2 and a grueling five-hour Senate confirmation hearing the previous day.

Clad in a traditional brown kaftan and hula cap, the 58-year-old former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) – who retired from active military service in October 2025 – took the oath of office in the presence of family, top government officials, and fellow security chiefs, vowing to “go after” insurgents “fully” without retreat.

Musa’s appointment comes at a dire moment for Nigeria, where insecurity has reached alarming heights. A National Bureau of Statistics report revealed that Nigerians shelled out a staggering N2.23 trillion ($1.3 billion) in ransom payments between May 2023 and April 2024 alone, fueling a cycle of mass abductions – including recent school kidnappings in Kebbi State that drew fierce public backlash over alleged military withdrawals.

During his Senate grilling, Musa addressed these failures head-on, promising an immediate probe into the Kebbi incident and declaring, “The military is not known for cowardice.”

He emphasized leveraging technology for tracking ransom flows and building a national database to monitor citizens electronically, while urging an end to payments that embolden criminals.Born on December 25, 1967, in Sokoto State, Musa brings a storied 34-year military career to the role.

A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree, he rose through the ranks as Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion, Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai against Boko Haram, and CDS from June 2023 until his retirement.

His accolades include the 2012 Colin Powell Award for Soldiering Excellence, and he holds advanced degrees in military science from institutions in China and the U.S.

In his post-swearing-in remarks, Musa outlined a multi-pronged strategy: fostering inter-agency collaboration, empowering communities to share intelligence, reinforcing the Safe Schools Initiative, and overhauling outdated security laws.

He warned that terrorists view Nigeria as a “lucrative target” due to its perceived wealth, calling for zero tolerance and robust border controls to thwart foreign infiltration.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the confirmation, congratulated Musa and implored him to wield his office decisively in the war on crime.

Analysts see Musa’s insider knowledge as a game-changer, potentially ushering in a “new era” for Nigeria’s defence amid criticisms of fragmented responses to threats.

As Musa assumes command, all eyes are on whether his tenure will finally stem the tide of violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.

The defence portfolio now rests on a general who has stared down defeat before – and vows to do so again.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a fresh list of 65 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, Very Nigerian reports.

The request was announced on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

The new list comprises 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners, as well as 31 non-career nominees, bringing the total to 65.

Among the notable career nominees are Sulu-Gambari Olatunde Ahmed from Kwara State and Segun Ige from Edo State.

Prominent non-career nominees include Senator Folasade Grace Bent from Adamawa, Senator Solomon Ita Enang from Akwa Ibom, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Ondo State.

Tinubu also named Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State, and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors. Their names were not included in the earlier batch released by the Presidency.

This new submission comes days after the President transmitted the first set of three ambassadorial nominees to the Senate.

Those nominees—Kayode Are (Ogun), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo)—have already been screened by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

With the latest batch, the Senate has now referred all 65 nominees to the same Foreign Affairs Committee, which has been mandated to complete the screening exercise within one week.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs have thoroughly screened three ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and gave them a clean bill of health.

Those who have been screened are :

Rtd. Col. Kayode Are : He offered a detailed overview of his extensive career in national intelligence and security, highlighting his distinguished roles in the Nigerian Army, as former Director-General of the State Security Service, Deputy National Security Adviser, and his continued contributions to security reforms.

Amb. Amin Muhammad Dalhatu : He recounted his longstanding service in the Federal Ministry of Finance and NNPC, his transition into agriculture, and his successful tenure as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea between 2016 and 2021, a period that strengthened his diplomatic acumen.

Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a seasoned diplomat and intelligence professional, presented a rich 38-year service history across six countries on three continents. With academic qualifications in political science, international relations, law, and international criminal law, along with advanced training in reputable international institutions.

He addressed concerns regarding past intelligence-related allegations, noting that all issues had been conclusively resolved following official reviews.

Niger North Senator and Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, who presided over the Wednesday screening exercise, said that the Committee expressed unanimous satisfaction with the calibre of the candidates and applauded the President for presenting individuals of notable experience and merit.

The Committee, empowered to scrutinise the competencies and suitability of the non-career nominees, conducted an in-depth engagement attended by over a dozen senators.

The session featured rigorous interrogation, professional assessments, and broad deliberations focusing on each nominee’s track record, capacity, and character.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the Committee expressed unanimous satisfaction with the calibre of the candidates and applauded the President for presenting individuals of notable experience and merit.

Members observed that all three nominees possess robust professional backgrounds, diverse national service credentials, and the temperament required for high-level diplomatic assignments.

They commended the President for identifying individuals whose experience aligns with Nigeria’s evolving global priorities.

Upon completion of the screening, Senator Sani Bello presented the nominations for the Committee’s decision, and members unanimously endorsed all three nominees for Senate confirmation.

The nominees Rtd. Col. Lateef Kayode Kolawole Are (Ogun), Amb. Amin Muhammad Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Amb. Emanuel Ayodele Oke (Oyo) were collectively described as credible assets capable of strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and strategic engagements.

The Senators in attendance included Senators Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Mukhail Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (Zamfara North), :Salisu Shuaib Afolabi (Ogun Central), Peter Ndalikali (Niger South), Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nassarawa West) among others

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, will resume the screening of the remaining ambassadorial nominees at a subsequent date.