EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR (RTD) was born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto State and hails from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He was granted Regular Combatant Commission as a member of 38 Regular Course on 21 September 1991 in the rank of Second Lieutenant with seniority on the same rank effective 21 September 1986. He is of the Infantry Corps.
He has attended several courses among which are Young Officers’ Course (Infantry), Mechanical Transport Officers’ Course, Regimental Signal Officers’ Course, Junior Staff Course, Senior Staff Course, Defence and Strategic Studies Course (China), Combined Joint Land Component Task Force Commanders’ Course (United States of America).
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, a Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies, an Advanced Diploma in Security Management and a Master in Military Science from National Defence University China. He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and a Fellow of Disaster Management and Safety Science.
General CG Musa was appointed the Chief of Defence Staff on 19 June 2023 by the President, C-in-C of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
Following his retirement, He was nominated as Nigeria's Minister of Defence by the President, on 2 December 2025.
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
a. Platoon Commander – 192 Motorized Battalion.
b. Company Second-in-Command – 81 Guards Battalion.
c. Administration Officer – 2 Division Camp.
d. Adjutant – 195 Battalion.
e. Staff Officer Grade 2 Logistics – HQ 2 Division.
f. Student – S1 List – Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
g. Battalion Second-in-Command – 149 Battalion.
h. General Staff Officer Grade One – Headquarters 81 Division. Operations
i. Commanding Officer – 73 Battalion.
j. Assistant Director of Operations – Army Headquarters Department of Army Policy and Plans.
k. Infantry Representative – Nigerian Army Armour School.
l. Participant – S1 List – National Defence College (China).
m. Deputy Chief of Staff Operations – Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre.
n. Chief of Staff – Headquarters 2 Division.
o. Commandant – Depot Nigerian Army.
p. Principal Staff Officer Combat Arms – Office of the COAS.
q. Executive Director – Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited.
r. Executive Director Nigerian Army Farms – Army Headquarters and Ranches Limited Department of Projects and Plans.
s. Commander – Headquarters Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
t. Chief of General Duties – Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command.
u. Director Campaign Planning – Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations.
v. Director of Training – Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations.
w. Senior Research Fellow – Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
x. Theatre Commander – Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI.
y. Commander Infantry Corps – Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre.
z. Chief of Defence Staff - ( June 2023 - October 2025 )
ACCOLADES
In 2022, General CG Musa won the Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering.
In 2022, the African Youths Initiative For Good Governance and Peace honored him with the Nelson Mandela Exemplary Leadership Award, for his outstanding contributions to peacekeeping, and protection of the Nation’s territorial integrity.
Still, in December 2022, during the 2nd edition of the Africa-Dubai Investment Business Summit held in Dubai, he was awarded the Fellowship of the Institute of Leadership Assessment and Development.
On 23 November 2023, General CG Musa was honored as the Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient of the Year, by the Nigeria Service Awards panel of jury, after he came first place during the online nominations period.
Other awards and accolades received by General CG Musa include the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), the Nigerian Army Medal, the Grand Service Star, the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, and the Field Command Medal of Honour.
On 31 December 2023, the Agwatyap’s Buffet was organised by the Atyap Chiefdom in his honor. In the occasion, he was honored with the title Tswung Atyap, meaning "Pillar of Atyap", by HH Sir Dominic Yahaya.
Awards & Recognition
Honoring exceptional service and contributions to Nigeria’s defense and security landscape.
Lifetime Service Award, November 2023
Presented by the President of Nigeria for exceptional military leadership and service to the nation.
Tswung Atyap (Pillar of Atyap), December 2023
Traditional title conferred by the Atyap Chiefdom for contributions to peace and security in Southern Kaduna.
Outstanding Defence Innovation, February 2025
Recognition for championing indigenous military technology development and deployment.
QUOTES
IT IS NOW EASIER FOR FISH TO SURVIVE OUTSIDE WATER THAN FOR TERRORIST TO SURVIVE IN NIGERIA