Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retired), has assured citizens that the Federal Government’s revised security strategy will begin producing tangible results in the near future.
Musa gave the assurance shortly after taking the oath of office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters moments after President Bola Tinubu swore him in, the former Chief of Defence Staff said his first task is to strengthen coordination within the armed forces and foster better cooperation among the country’s security agencies.
According to him, restoring order and ensuring public safety will require collective responsibility.
He explained that effective collaboration both across military formations and between security institutions, adding that the public remained essential to defeating the wide array of threats facing the nation.
“When all stakeholders work together, the impact will be felt quickly,” he said, pledging that Nigerians will soon notice improvements.
Musa expressed gratitude to citizens for what he described as overwhelming support since his nomination, promising to work relentlessly to ensure stability across Nigeria.
The minister also shed light on his discussions with President Tinubu, saying the President made it clear that securing the country is an urgent priority.
He said Nigerians must once again feel comfortable travelling, farming, and attending school without fear of harassment or attacks.
During his Senate screening on Wednesday, Musa, who served as Chief of Defence Staff from mid-2023 until late 2025, warned that the surge in kidnapping-for-ransom poses one of the gravest risks to national security.
He argued that ransom payments only strengthen criminal networks and undermine long-term counterterrorism operations.
He stressed that improved intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance technology, and stronger inter-agency coordination will be central to the government’s next phase of security operations.
Musa was nominated to replace Mohammed Badaru, who resigned from the Defence Ministry on health grounds.
The Senate confirmed his appointment after a five-hour screening session in which lawmakers pressed him on rising violence, banditry, and terrorism.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga later shared images from the swearing-in ceremony, describing the new minister’s appointment as a significant component of President Tinubu’s ongoing security reform agenda.
At 57, Musa now takes on one of the most critical positions in the administration, with widespread expectations that his experience as a former CDS will help recalibrate Nigeria’s fight against armed groups and other threats.
