Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, is expected to replace Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, according to senior government sources.
Musa met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday evening his first public engagement with the President since his retirement on October 24, 2025. During the meeting, Tinubu reportedly informed him of plans to appoint him as Badaru’s successor.
Badaru resigned on Monday, citing health reasons in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to President Tinubu. The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the resignation in a statement, adding that Tinubu had accepted it and thanked Badaru for his service.
The President is expected to formally notify the Senate of the new nominee later in the week.
Badaru, 63, served as governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before his appointment as Defence Minister on August 21, 2023. His resignation comes as the Federal Government declares a national security emergency, with further details to be announced by the Presidency.
