CG NFSS Congratulates Gen. Musa on His Appointment, Commends Tinubu for a Meritorious Choice

The Commander General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, has congratulated the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on his appointment as the new Minister of Defence.

Dr. Osatimehin also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a meritorious and well-considered choice in appointing General Musa.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the NFSS Commander General said the appointment reflected “putting the right peg in the right hole,” noting that General Musa’s wealth of experience would inspire the professional respect of the Service Chiefs needed to tackle banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram, terrorism, and other security challenges confronting the nation.

He stressed that Nigeria requires renewed leadership within its security architecture to address the prevailing threats. Dr. Osatimehin urged the new Defence Minister to deploy his strategic insight, experience, and leadership qualities to advance the fight against insecurity and protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity, as well as the lives and property of citizens.

Calling on him not to betray the confidence reposed in him by President Tinubu, Dr. Osatimehin appealed for collective support from all stakeholders to help the President achieve his Renewed Hope agenda, particularly in the area of national security.

He reaffirmed the readiness of the NFSS to work closely with General Musa to ensure his success as Defence Minister.

General Christopher Musa succeeds Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, is a seasoned military officer who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025. He completed his primary and secondary education in Sokoto before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, graduating in 1986. That same year, he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, General Musa has held several key military positions, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements in Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative on the Training Team at the Nigerian Army Armour Corps Headquarters.

In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps Headquarters; Commander, Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.

By 2021, he had become Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai before later assuming command of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. In 2023, President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff.