“We Must Win Together”: New Defence Minister Vows Action, Unity in First Address

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest, Nigeria

In his first address as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) expressed humility and a solemn commitment to the nation’s security. Speaking on December 5, 2025, he thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment, calling it a divine privilege after 39 years of military service.

The Minister stressed that securing Nigeria requires concrete action, not just words, and that citizens must collectively take ownership of the country’s challenges. “It is only us who can solve the problem,” he stated, expressing confidence that with national unity and divine support, success is achievable.

Addressing staff of the Ministry, he promised to prioritize their welfare and administration, emphasizing a culture of reward, accountability, and continuous improvement over the old way of doing things. He called for a proactive and positive workforce dedicated to the national task.

Drawing from his experience as former Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa described himself as a “comrade from the trenches” who understands the bravery of troops and the complexity of threats. He declared that no single service or individual can succeed alone, outlining his core philosophy: “operational effectiveness through unified action and strategic foresight.” He pledged that the Ministry would become a “powerhouse” of strategy, support, and accountability for the armed forces.

To translate this into action, the Minister outlined three immediate priorities:

Enhancing Joint Operations: A rigorous review of theatre commands to achieve seamless synergy between services, with open dialogue with service chiefs on equipment, training, and strategy.

Boosting Welfare and Morale: Ensuring timely provision of kits, payment of allowances, and proper care for personnel, their families, and the injured. “Anybody who is laying down their life for their country deserves the highest respect,” he affirmed.

Intelligence-Driven Defence: Leveraging technology and data for decision-making, fostering innovation, and collaborating with partners and other security agencies.

General Musa demanded the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and urgency, declaring zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, or indolence. He emphasized respect for human rights and a dual approach of kinetic and non-kinetic solutions, noting that many security challenges stem from issues of governance, justice, and equity.

“Shedding of innocent blood is over,” he declared. “Our children should go back to school. Our farmers should go back to their farms.”

He called for full cooperation from Service Chiefs and civil service staff, acknowledging the tough road ahead but expressing “absolute faith” in the Armed Forces and the Ministry. With the support of all Nigerians, he asserted, failure is not an option.

“I am not here to preside; I am here to lead, to walk, and to deliver alongside you,” General Musa concluded, reaffirming his commitment to lead with fairness and loyalty to the Constitution. “We can win. We will win.”