C. G. MUSA AS DEFENCE MINISTER CAN PRESIDENT TINUBU GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME?

INTRODUCTION 

On December 2, 2025, Christopher Gwabin Musa was nominated by Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence. This comes at a critical moment: Nigeria is grappling with a severe security crisis marked by mass kidnappings, insurgency, banditry, and widespread violence across multiple states. The decision to place a former top military officer with direct counter-insurgency experience at the helm of the Defence Ministry has generated hope — but also skepticism. In this article, I examine whether the appointment of Musa gives the Tinubu government a credible chance to “get it right” this time in the war on terror and internal security.

WHY MUSA'S APPOINTMENT MATTERS: BACKGROUND & TRACK RECORD 

Strong operational credentials

Musa served as the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), from 2023 until a military shake-up in October 2025. 

Before becoming CDS, he was Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai — the flagship counter-insurgency campaign against Boko Haram and other militants in Nigeria’s North-East. 

Under his leadership, the armed forces reportedly neutralized thousands of terrorists and recovered large caches of weapons and ammunition. 

Emphasis on modernization and holistic strategy

Musa is credited with pushing for a shift from purely kinetic (guns-and-troops) responses toward intelligence-driven, technology-enhanced operations. Examples include mobile strike teams, deployment of drones, night-vision units, and plans for more advanced surveillance and cyber capabilities. 

Additionally, he advocated non-kinetic measures: deradicalization, community-engagement, coordination with other security agencies, and efforts to cut off terrorist financing. 

Rights groups and civil-society organisations previously praised him for improving inter-agency coordination and strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture. 

Credibility and trust within military and civilian circles

Because Musa has a proven track record, both among rank-and-file and in public perception, his elevation to Defence Minister may revive some confidence in the state’s intent to confront insecurity decisively. His prior success gives him legitimacy when calling for reforms, procurement, or cooperation across agencies.

THE STAKES: Nigeria’s Security Crisis & Why This Moment is Critical

The backdrop for Musa's appointment is stark:

The government recently declared a national security emergency, following a surge in deadly attacks, kidnappings (including mass school abductions), and widespread banditry across northern and central Nigeria. 

Many regions — especially in the North-West and North-Central — have become volatile, prompting fears among communities over safety of children, schools, worship places, and travel routes. 

The previous strategies, often criticised for being reactive or disjointed, have failed to prevent repeated major attacks, undermining public trust. 

In this environment, leadership, clarity of vision, resources, and execution are more important than ever. Musa’s appointment signals an opportunity for a reset.

WHAT MUSA COULD DO DIFFERENTLY — AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN 

Here are key areas where Musa’s leadership might make a real difference — if supported by political will, resources, and systemic reforms:

1. Renewed emphasis on intelligence and proactive operations

Given his past support for intelligence-driven counter-insurgency, Musa could rebuild or strengthen intelligence-gathering capabilities — human intel, drone and UAV surveillance, data analysis. This could enable more accurate, timely strikes on insurgent hideouts, gang camps, and criminal hide-outs across bandit-infested zones.

2. Better inter-agency coordination & holistic security architecture reforms

Under Musa, there is potential to deepen cooperation among the military, police, intelligence agencies, and community actors. Institutionalizing joint operations, information-sharing, border security, and synchronized raids could reduce duplication, leaks, and delays.

3. Tackling root causes: Financing, deradicalization, community engagement

Blocking terror funding — through financial intelligence, monitoring suspicious transactions, curtailing illicit mining or ransom flows — remains critical. Musa has previously highlighted this. Also, deradicalization, reintegration programs, community dialogues, youth outreach and preventive measures must be sustained.

4. Modernization and capacity-building for the armed forces

Procurement of needed equipment (drones, surveillance, fast-response units), training, troop welfare, better logistics and infrastructure for rapid deployment across remote areas — these will all be vital. Musa’s past push for modernization offers hope in that direction. 

5. Transparency, accountability, and civil-military trust.

Past mistrust between communities and security forces — especially in volatile zones — has undermined effectiveness. As Defence Minister, Musa could champion reforms to improve transparency, respect for human rights, civilian oversight, improved engagement with local leaders, and rebuilding trust.

BUT IT WON'T BE EASY: KEY CHALLENGES & RISKS

Even with all Musa’s strengths, there are structural and political obstacles:

Resource Constraints & Logistics: Nigeria’s security problem is huge and dispersed. Modernization and sustained operations require massive funding. Competing budgetary demands (economy, social needs) could hamper this.

Political Will & Institutional Resistance: For reforms to stick, there must be institutional buy-in — from political leadership, ministries, state governors, and security agencies. Past inertia, internal rivalries, or corrupt practices could undermine efforts.

Socio-economic Drivers of Insecurity: Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping are fueled by poverty, unemployment, marginalization, conflict over land and resources. The military alone cannot solve these; broader social, economic, and governance reforms are required — beyond the Defence Ministry’s purview.

Risk of Over-militarization & Human Rights Abuses: Heavy-handed military tactics without safeguards can alienate communities, breed resentment, and even push people toward radicalization. Balancing force with respect for rights is essential.

Complex, Adaptive Threats: Groups like Boko Haram and bandits evolve tactics — moving underground, exploiting local grievances, leveraging ransom economies. A static or one-dimensional strategy will fail.

WILL THIS BE “Getting It Right”? — A REALISTIC ASSESSMENT 

Musa’s appointment gives the Tinubu government a better chance at turning around Nigeria’s security situation — especially because he combines operational experience, strategic vision, and some record of success. If he is empowered with sufficient resources, and the government supports institutional reforms, coordination, and root-cause approaches, he could help stabilise parts of the country and restore public confidence.

However — and this is important — while he can improve the security apparatus, he alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security crisis. Long-term success demands a whole-of-society approach: improving governance, ensuring economic opportunities, addressing land/resource conflicts, strengthening rule of law, and rebuilding trust with communities.

So — Musa’s appointment is a step in the right direction, but it’s not a silver bullet. Whether Nigeria “gets it right this time” depends more on political will, resources, and sustained holistic action than on who sits in the Defence Ministry chair.

WHAT TO WATCH — KEY INDICATORS IN THE COMING MONTHS 

Will the government approve budgets for military modernization, border security, and intelligence upgrades?

Will new joint-security operations begin in high-risk zones (North-West, North-Central, bandit/terror hotspots)?

Will there be measurable reductions in mass kidnappings, attacks on schools/churches/mosques, and casualties?

Will deradicalization, community engagement, and reintegration programmes be expanded?

Will there be transparency around military operations, human-rights safeguards, and civilian oversight?

If these begin happening, Musa’s tenure could mark a turning point. If not — the pattern of short-term fixes and repeated outbreaks may continue.

CONCLUSION 

The elevation of Christopher Musa to Defence Minister under President Tinubu is a bold, promising move at a precarious time. Musa brings to the table operational experience, strategic foresight, and some credibility — qualities that are sorely needed in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, banditry, and internal insecurity.

But for this appointment to translate into real progress, it must be backed by political commitment, sufficient resources, systemic reforms, and a broader national agenda addressing socio-economic roots of insecurity. Only then can we realistically hope that Nigeria might “get it right this time.”

Mal. Ahmad M. Salihu 

Working with the Bauchi State 

Ministry of Education.