President Bola Tinubu is reportedly considering retired General Christopher Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, as a potential replacement for Mohammed Badaru, who resigned as Defence Minister on Monday.
A Presidency source disclosed this to Tribune on Tuesday morning, citing Musa’s extensive military experience and a recent meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa.
Badaru had submitted his resignation in a letter dated December 1, 2025, citing medical reasons for his decision to step down from the cabinet position.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the President accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude for Badaru’s service.
“President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his services to the nation,” the statement read.
The Presidency indicated that the name of Badaru’s successor would be communicated to the Senate shortly.
However, a highly placed source within the Presidency revealed that General Musa has emerged as a leading candidate for the position.
“The President has commenced shopping for a replacement to avoid creating a vacuum, with General Musa (retd) as a possible choice,” the source stated.
The speculation gained momentum following a meeting between President Tinubu and General Musa on Monday evening at the Presidential Villa. The retired general arrived at approximately 7:03 pm wearing dark-green traditional northern attire and was escorted into the President’s office by a senior security official.
The session marked Musa’s first documented visit to the Presidency since his retirement from military service in October 2025, fueling speculation about his potential return to public service in a civilian capacity.
General Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until his retirement last year, during which time he coordinated Nigeria’s multi-front security operations against terrorism, banditry, and other threats.
If appointed, he would bring significant operational experience to the Defence Ministry at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent security challenges across multiple regions.
The appointment would require Senate confirmation, and political observers are watching to see whether the President will nominate a retired military officer or opt for a civilian candidate.
Neither General Musa nor the Presidency has officially commented on the speculation surrounding his potential appointment.
Badaru, a former Governor of Jigawa State, served as Defence Minister from August 2023 until his resignation, overseeing the ministry during a period of heightened security concerns nationwide.
