I know General Christopher Gwabin Musa personally. He is, without exaggeration, a gentleman to the core—humble, humane and honourable. Though modest in stature, he stands as a towering hero in character, intellect and service to the Nigerian nation.
General Musa, who served as the 18th Chief of Defence Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 23 June 2023 to 24 October 2025, epitomises truth, sacrifice and patriotism in their purest forms. His illustrious military career is defined by discipline, strategic foresight and an unyielding devotion to national unity, cohesion and security.
As Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (appointed in 2021 and serving until January 2023) he exhibited extraordinary command capability and operational dexterity. His leadership style was characterised by moral rectitude and professional integrity. He revitalised the morale of the troops, consolidated civil military relations and ensured that Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were never compromised.
Prior to that, he served as Commander, Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army (from January 2023 until his elevation to CDS) and held numerous other command and staff roles which cumulatively equipped him with deep operational and doctrinal experience.
Beyond the frontlines, General Musa embodies rare piety, humility and inclusiveness. A devout Christian, he has served as a moral compass and a unifying force among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities. His deliberate efforts in fostering inter-faith coexistence are well documented. Through his sponsorship of Qur’anic competitions, educational support for Muslim scholars studying in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and sustained promotion of inter-religious dialogue, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to peace, mutual respect and national integration.
As Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa introduced strategic security reforms anchored on the doctrine of “national defensive sovereignty”. His vision of “fencing Nigeria” through fortified borders, advanced surveillance technology, improved intelligence coordination and enhanced inter-agency collaboration has redefined Nigeria’s national security architecture. His stewardship saw the Armed Forces attain an unprecedented level of jointness and interoperability seamlessly synchronising operations between the Army, Air Force and Navy thereby significantly elevating the nation’s operational efficiency and response capability.
True to the country’s non-aligned foreign policy posture, General Musa maintained a balanced and pragmatic diplomatic stance in global defence cooperation. He pursued strategic partnerships and arms acquisitions from all credible international allies, ensuring that Nigeria’s autonomy and sovereignty remained inviolable. During the diplomatic standoff between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger, his strategic diplomacy and quiet intervention were instrumental in de-escalating tensions that could have otherwise evolved into open military confrontation. His composure, tact and statesmanship during that period reflected his profound understanding of geopolitics and regional stability.
General Musa’s leadership has also been firmly anchored on human security and troop welfare. He has consistently advocated for improved living conditions of soldiers, enhanced training regimes, and greater support for the families of fallen heroes. His reforms have elevated the image of the Nigerian Armed Forces both domestically and internationally reaffirming Nigeria’s stature as a credible force in regional peace keeping and global defence diplomacy.
An erudite and strategic thinker, General Christopher G. Musa fuses military professionalism with moral conviction. His loyalty to the Nigerian Constitution and his steadfast commitment to democratic governance embody the finest traditions of civil-military relations. He is not only a defender of Nigeria’s territorial boundaries but also a guardian of its democratic ethos.
Beyond the formal framework of the military, General Musa has distinguished himself as a humanitarian and community developer. He has quietly built mosques, empowered widows, supported orphans and created opportunities for youths to become economically self-reliant. Many of these philanthropic gestures remain deliberately unpublicised reflecting his belief that true service to humanity requires neither applause nor publicity.
I deeply respect General Musa for his accessibility and humility. Despite his high office, he remains approachable, responsive and empathetic always taking the time to attend to calls, messages and concerns from citizens across social strata.
In every sense, General Christopher Gwabin Musa is a soldier-statesman educated, strategic, disciplined and profoundly patriotic. His name is etched in Nigeria’s history as one who served faithfully, led courageously and inspired a new generation of officers and citizens alike to uphold the enduring ideals of truth, sacrifice and national unity.
Babagana Bukar Wakil
Maiduguri
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