🇳🇬 Defence Minister Pledges Unity, Welfare And Strategic Reform As He Assumes Office At Ship House

 

The Minister of Defence, Retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has pledged urgent action on welfare, joint operational reviews, and technology driven intelligence to strengthen the country’s defence posture on assuming office as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence on Friday 5th December, 2025.

 

Zig Diaries Defence

Date: Thursday, 04 December 2025

Time: 13:20 WAT

Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria

 

General Musa was speaking during the ceremoney held at the headquarters, Ministery of Defence, Ship House in Abuja just days after his confirmation by the Senate following the resignation of his predecessor Mohammed Badaru.

 

The minister said Nigerians must take ownership of national challenges and promised a ministry led by operational effectiveness, unified action, and strategic foresight, with immediate reviews of theatre commands and inter service operations.

 

"I take that trust very seriously. No one else will solve our problems for us."

 

"There will be zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, or indolence."

 

General Musa emphasised that welfare is strategic and must be treated as such, emphasizing timely provision of kits, prompt payment of operational allowances, and improved medical and accommodation support for troops and families of the fallen.

 

He said the ministry will be the strategic brain of Nigeria’s defence architecture, using technology for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and strengthening partnerships with allies and other security agencies so that data, not conjecture, guides decisions.

 

Musa called for the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and pledged to welcome candid advice while insisting that once decisions are taken the ministry must move as one team to deliver results for the Nigerian people.

 

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, has reaffirmed the full loyalty and readiness of the ministry’s workforce to support the leadership of the new Minister of Defence, Retired General Christopher Musa, during his assumption of office at Ship House in Abuja on Friday.

 

The ceremony, attended by Service Chiefs and senior defence officials, marked what the Permanent Secretary described as a significant moment for the ministry and the wider defence sector as General Musa returns in a new capacity after decades of military service.

 

According to Mr Pheelangwa, the appointment of General Musa by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects national confidence in his experience, character and capacity to reposition Nigeria’s security architecture.

 

“Your appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a clear testament to the nation’s confidence in your experience, character and capability to strengthen and reposition our security architecture,” he said.

 

He noted that the Ministry of Defence, established 67 years ago with a combined civilian and military workforce of about 7,666 personnel, carries the statutory mandate of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and global peacekeeping engagements.

 

Mr Pheelangwa described the event as a homecoming for the former Chief of Defence Staff, emphasising that his wealth of operational and strategic experience is expected to advance ongoing reforms and strengthen inter-agency coordination.

 

“This is indeed a homecoming. You have led from the front, and we have no doubt that your leadership will further consolidate national security,” he stated.

 

The Permanent Secretary pledged the unwavering cooperation, professionalism and institutional support of the ministry’s management and staff as the new minister assumes responsibility for guiding the Armed Forces of Nigeria and shaping national defence priorities.

 

 

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, pledged full backing for the Minister of Defence, Retired General Christopher Musa, vowing coordinated efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

 

General Oluyede highlighted that Minister Musa’s prior experience and familiarity with the ministry would enable a more robust and unified approach to national defence.

 

“The Minister is not new to this ministry. As the Permanent Secretary rightly noted, he is a familiar figure who has always been accessible and supportive. We are glad to have him back, and we look forward to a more robust and coordinated approach to solving our security challenges,” the Chief of Defence Staff stated.

 

He emphasised the importance of sincerity and collective action in driving security reforms, noting that government support and the Minister’s leadership are crucial to achieving results.

 

“In the meeting we had earlier, I made it clear that we must be sincere and collective in our approach. To achieve meaningful results, we must get the full buy-in of the Minister to drive the process, and the government must continue to demonstrate the political will required to support our efforts,” General Oluyede said.

 

He assured that the Armed Forces would work closely with the Minister, reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s defence institutions.

 

 “I want to assure the Minister that collectively, we will support this cause and strengthen the confidence of Nigerians in our Armed Forces. I am convinced that, going forward, Nigeria will be better,” he added.

 

🏷️ Tags: Defence, Christopher Musa, Ministry of Defence, Welfare, Joint Operations, Intelligence, Nigeria

 

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