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New details have emerged regarding the unexpected resignation of former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on Monday after two years in office, citing health-related concerns.
Following his exit, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), as the new Minister of Defence.
Badaru’s departure comes amid months of pressure and scrutiny within the defence establishment. At various times, critics—including lawmakers and civil society organisations—had demanded accountability from the ministry over its handling of insecurity.
Earlier, a petition from the APC Akida Forum urged authorities to suspend Minister Bello Matawalle pending investigations into allegations of collusion with criminal networks. In November 2025, the Good Governance and Accountability Monitoring Group also called for Matawalle’s removal, accusing him of “complicity” and “poor performance” as insecurity persisted.
Despite these calls, sources within the ministry suggested that Matawalle was likely to retain his portfolio as part of broader restructuring within the security sector. Officials in the Presidency also disclosed that his appointment formed part of a coordinated strategy to combat banditry, citing his recent deployment to Kebbi State during the rescue of 24 abducted students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.
However, Matawalle’s absence on Friday during Gen. Musa’s formal assumption of office at the Ministry of Defence raised questions, with no official explanation provided.
Gen. Musa, received by service chiefs, the permanent secretary and senior officials, outlined his priorities during his maiden addresses
Musa to review theatre command
The new defence minister announced that one of his first tasks would be a comprehensive review of all theatre commands and inter-service operational structures across the country. He said the overhaul was crucial to strengthening joint operations, closing security gaps and ensuring strategic alignment between defence policy and field execution.
Musa emphasised that personnel welfare would be treated as a strategic imperative rather than a routine administrative issue. He pledged improvements in prompt allowance payments, timely issuance of kits, better accommodation, enhanced medical care and stronger support for families of fallen soldiers.
He warned that morale directly affects performance, saying, “Anyone who risks his or her life for Nigeria deserves nothing but the utmost respect.”
Musa stressed that Nigeria could no longer afford fragmented security efforts, insisting that seamless collaboration among the Army, Navy, Air Force and other security agencies was essential to long-term stability. He said his leadership would rest on three pillars: operational effectiveness, unified action and strategic foresight.
He also promised zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline and inefficiency, and vowed to uphold human rights while making decisive corrections where necessary.
The minister further committed to expanding the use of technology, intelligence and data-driven planning, while strengthening partnerships with local and international security actors.
“I am not here to preside,” he said. “I am here to lead, to work and to deliver.”
Musa urged the ministry’s civil service structure to remain diligent and ensure that military objectives were translated into actionable policies. He added that Nigerians were yearning for peace, stability and a return to normalcy in their communities.
“Our children must return to school. Farmers must return to their farms. The shedding of innocent blood must end,” he said, promising a balanced approach that combines kinetic action with justice, equity and good governance.
