Nigeria's president appoints former military chief as defense minister shortly after resignation

LAGOS, Nigeria President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has put forward Gen. Christopher Musa, the former head of the military, to serve as the country's defense minister, just weeks after his previous departure from the post. The nomination awaits approval from the parliament, and officials have not provided a detailed reason for Musa's swift return.

Musa previously led the Nigerian military from 2023 until October, when he was compelled to retire amid a broader military reshuffle. His nomination follows the resignation of the former defense minister, Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on Monday due to health concerns.

The move comes as the United States has urged Nigeria to take stronger measures against violent attacks and mass kidnappings carried out by armed groups in the northern regions. President Tinubu has dismissed U.S. assertions that the unrest disproportionately affects Christian communities and recently dispatched a diplomatic team to Washington, resulting in a new security cooperation agreement.

Last week, Tinubu declared a state of emergency and initiated a large-scale recruitment of police personnel to strengthen security efforts across the nation.

Author: Benjamin Carter