UPDATED: Senate Begins Screening of Defence Minister-Nominee Christopher Musa

UPDATED: Senate Begins Screening of Defence Minister-Nominee Christopher Musa

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday commenced the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa.

Musa, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, arrived at the chamber alongside the President’s Special Adviser on Senate Matters, Bashir Lado, and a delegation of retired military officers.

The screening exercise kicked off around 2:10 p.m. after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for the nominee to be admitted, in line with the Senate’s standing rules.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, presiding over the Committee of the Whole, noted that Musa is not a stranger to the National Assembly, recalling his appearance in 2023 when he was nominated as CDS. Akpabio urged the nominee to deploy his experience to help tackle Nigeria’s escalating security challenges if confirmed.

Musa, in his opening remarks, condemned the bandits terrorising communities nationwide, describing them as “evil forces” with no regard for human life.

He called for national unity against insecurity and emphasised the need to protect Nigeria’s borders from external threats.

As of the time of filing this report, the screening was still ongoing, with senators grilling the nominee on critical security issues.

It is worth noting that President Tinubu had forwarded Musa’s name to the Senate on Tuesday to replace Mohammed Abubakar, who resigned on Monday.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the nomination was transmitted in line with constitutional procedures.

The nominee, who will turn 58 on December 25, served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025.