The newly appointed Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, on Friday declared that the era of shedding innocent blood in Nigeria was over as he formally assumed office at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Musa, who until his appointment served as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), vowed to lead with urgency, accountability, and a renewed sense of national purpose, assuring Nigerians of decisive action against insecurity.
He said his return to the Defence Ministry was with the full backing of President Bola Tinubu and the trust of the Nigerian people.
“After having 39 years in service to come in and now be a Minister of Defence, the love Nigerians have shown us shows that people believe that we can turn the tide,” Musa said.
He stressed that change would not come through rhetoric alone but through collective responsibility by all Nigerians.
“Change will not come from rhetoric, but through action by all Nigerians. We must, firstly as Nigerians, take ownership of the responsibilities of the challenges we have in our country; it is only us that can solve the problem.
“The shedding of innocent blood is over. Citizens have a right to live without fear. Our children should be able to go back to school. The farmers should be able to go back to their farms,” he declared.
Musa assured that the welfare of military personnel and their families would remain central to restoring public confidence and operational effectiveness.
According to him, any individual laying down their life for the country deserves the highest level of respect and care.
He pledged that the ministry would act swiftly to ensure that troops receive adequate kits, prompt operational allowances, improved accommodation, and quality medical care, especially for injured soldiers and bereaved families.
Outlining his agenda, the new minister identified three core pillars of his leadership: Operational effectiveness, Unified action across services, Strategic foresight
He announced a rigorous review of all theatre commands and inter-service operations to eliminate silos, stressing that once decisions are taken, the armed forces must operate as one united team.
Musa also highlighted the importance of technology and intelligence in Nigeria’s defence architecture, promising to deepen partnerships with allies and strengthen coordination with other security agencies.
“Data, not just experience, must guide decisions,” he said.
The defence minister warned that there would be zero tolerance for indiscipline, corruption, and bureaucratic delays within the system.
“If we make mistakes, we must take necessary action to ensure that we make amends,” he added.
He further described staff morale as a “force multiplier,” urging all personnel—both uniformed and civilian—to be proactive and take initiative without waiting for instructions.
Musa also acknowledged the critical role of the civil service, describing them as the institutional memory and backbone of sustainability in the ministry.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, described Musa’s assumption of office as a significant moment for both the ministry and Nigeria’s national security architecture.
He said management and staff were fully committed to supporting the minister, adding that his appointment by President Tinubu reflected national confidence in his experience and capacity.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, also assured the minister of the full support of the Armed Forces, describing his assumption of office as the beginning of a new era of sincerity, unity, and collective action.
“We are glad to have him here, and we are looking forward to a more robust approach to solving our challenges,” Oluyede said.
Musa concluded with a message of hope and determination, calling on all Nigerians to embrace unity, resolve, and faith in the nation’s ability to overcome its security challenges.
“We are going to continue to hit the ground running. The task ahead is enormous but so manageable. We can win. We will win,” he said.
