By Reportcircle News
Barely 24 hours after taking the oath of office before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), wasted no time in signalling a no-nonsense beginning to what many are already calling a defining chapter for the nation’s security architecture.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, the retired general formally assumed duty at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, Ship House, Abuja, stepping into office with a bold declaration that defence will no longer operate in silos — and that results will come fast.
Standing before top military commanders, directors and civil servants, Musa struck a tone of urgency and unity.
“Defence must take its place fully in this country,” he declared. “And that will only happen through synergy between the Armed Forces, other security agencies and the Nigerian people. Security is everybody’s business. It is that synergy we will now build.”
With Nigeria battling layered security threats across multiple fronts, Musa made it clear that individual effort, fragmented command and weak coordination will no longer be tolerated.
According to him, national security can only succeed through collective action backed by clear strategy and strict accountability.
“This Ministry must serve as a powerhouse of strategic direction and relentless accountability,” he said, warning that gaps between policy formulation and implementation will no longer be excused. “We must work together as Nigerians to make our country better.”
He pledged that Nigerians would “see results within the shortest possible time,” a statement that sent a charged ripple through the ranks of officers and civilian staff in the packed conference hall.
In one of the most emotional moments of his address, Musa turned attention to the front-line soldiers, sailors and airmen fighting daily across Nigeria’s troubled theatres.
“We must continue to support our troops who sacrifice their lives day and night so that Nigerians can sleep peacefully,” he said, promising a renewed push on troop welfare, improved equipment, better training and stronger morale.
He also pledged to work closely with the Service Chiefs, expressing confidence that seamless cooperation at the highest military level would push the Armed Forces to greater operational heights.
Turning to the Permanent Secretary and the civil service cadre, Musa described them as the “institutional memory and backbone of the Ministry”, stressing that defence success depends as much on strong administration as battlefield strength.
He laid out a clear reform map anchored on:
Aggressive training programmes
Strategic equipment procurement
Heavy leverage on modern technology
Expanded cooperation with allies and international partners
Deeper inter-agency collaboration
Above all, he pledged unflinching commitment to advancing the welfare and wellbeing of personnel, while pushing forward ongoing defence reforms.
Musa expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him, promising that the trust would be repaid with discipline, reform and measurable security gains.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwa, described the minister’s assumption of office as “a significant moment for the defence sector”, pledging the total loyalty and professionalism of the Ministry’s workforce.
“We stand ready to work diligently under your guidance, holding the highest standards of integrity, discipline and accountability,” Pheelangwa assured.
He said Musa’s appointment reflects national confidence in his experience, character and capability, especially at a time when Nigeria confronts complex and shifting security threats.
Though he admitted the road ahead is herculean, Pheelangwa said the new leadership has already injected renewed vigour, hope and strategic optimism into the defence establishment.
With Service Chiefs, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, directors and senior officials in attendance, the atmosphere inside Ship House carried the unmistakable air of a system being reset.
As Christopher Musa takes the reins, Nigeria’s defence community and the nation at large now watches closely.
The message from the new Minister is unmistakable: unity, speed, accountability and results are no longer optional.
