Christopher Gwabin Musa

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (born 25 December 1967) is a retired Nigerian army general who has served as the minister of defence of Nigeria since December 2025. He previously served as the 18th chief of defence staff of Nigeria from 23 June 2023 until his retirement on 30 October 2025.

Early life and education Musa was born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto, in the defunct North-Western State (now in Sokoto State), Nigeria. His family hails from Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna State, Nigeria.

In 1974, Musa attended Marafa Danbaba Primary School in Sokoto and left for Model Primary School, located on Dorowa Road, Sokoto, in 1978, where he remained until 1980. He then underwent vocational training in Gaummi, Sokoto, between 1980 and 1981.

In 1981, he was enrolled in Federal Government College, Sokoto, completing his O' levels in 1985. He was part of the National Cadet Corps while enrolled there. He was admitted to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, and was there until 1986. Musa's appointment as Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff was confirmed by the Nigerian senate on July 13, 2023.

Following his retirement, Musa was nominated as Nigeria's Minister of Defence by Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian president, on 2 December 2025 and took office on the 4th of December, 2025.

Awards and accolades

In 2022, Musa won the Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering.

In 2022, the African Youths Initiative For Good Governance and Peace honored him with the Nelson Mandela Exemplary Leadership Award, for his outstanding contributions to peacekeeping, and protection of the Nation’s territorial integrity.

Still, in December 2022, during the 2nd edition of the Africa-Dubai Investment Business Summit held in Dubai, he was awarded the Fellowship of the Institute of Leadership Assessment and Development.

On 23 November 2023, Musa was honored as the Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient of the Year, by the Nigeria Service Awards panel of jury, after he came first place during the online nominations period.

Other awards and accolades received by Musa include the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), the Nigerian Army Medal, the Grand Service Star, the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, and the Field Command Medal of Honour.

On 31 December 2023, the Agwatyap’s Buffet was organised by the Atyap Chiefdom in his honor. In the occasion, he was honored with the title Tswung Atyap, meaning "Pillar of Atyap", by HH Sir Dominic Yahaya, paramount ruler of the Atyap Chiefdom.