President Tinubu has replaced General Lucky Irabor with Major General Chris Musa, also known as Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was born on December 25, 1967, in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria. Major General Chris Musa has assumed the position of Chief of Defence Staff.
Musa received his primary and secondary education in the conservative Muslim state of Sokoto, despite being originally from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in the Christian South of Kaduna State. In 1986, he gained admission to the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State, where he underwent rigorous military training for five years, a period when the Nigerian military held political power in the country.
In September 1991, Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a second lieutenant in the Infantry Corps, known for its physically demanding nature. With his wealth of experience and leadership qualities, Musa assumed command of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps at the Headquarters, Infantry Corps Centre Jaji Military Cantonment, located in Kaduna state.
His appointment as the Infantry Corps Commander came after a recent redeployment of officers and soldiers by the Nigerian Army to various units, commands, and theatres across the country. Prior to this role, Musa served as the Theatre Commander of the North-East Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).
President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Christopher Gwabin Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff reflects the President’s confidence in Musa’s capabilities and his dedication to ensuring effective law enforcement and national security.