Tinubu’s nomination was formally sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, according to a statement released by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. If confirmed, Musa will take over from Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on Monday citing health reasons.
General Musa — who turns 58 on Christmas Day — is widely celebrated as one of the country’s most accomplished infantry commanders. His career spans more than three decades, highlighted by his tenure as CDS between 2023 and October 2025, and his 2012 Colin Powell Award for Soldiering.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his early schooling locally before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria. He entered the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986 and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Throughout his career, he held several key positions: Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion, General Staff Officer 1 (Training and Operations) at Headquarters 81 Division, Assistant Director of Operational Requirements at Army Policy and Plans, and Infantry Representative on the Armour Corps Training Team.
His leadership roles expanded further as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps, Commander of Sector 3 in Operation Lafiya Dole, and later Commander of the MNJTF’s Sector 3 in the Lake Chad Basin.
In 2021, he became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s flagship counterinsurgency mission in the Northeast. He later commanded the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed CDS by President Tinubu in 2023.
Tinubu, in his letter, emphasized that Musa’s “vast operational expertise and commendable leadership record” make him the right choice to head the Defence Ministry as Nigeria intensifies efforts to strengthen national security.
The Senate will begin screening the nominee in the coming days.
