He also pledged to do “whatever it takes” to protect the
lives of Nigerians.

“I can assure you, within the shortest possible time,
Nigerians will see results,” Musa told State House correspondents after taking
the oath of office before President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The new defense minister said he would restore and
strengthen collaboration within the armed forces and among security agencies.

“My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes
its place fully in the country. The synergy between the armed forces and other
security agencies is important, and [I will ensure that] all Nigerians are
carried along.

“As I have always said, security is everybody’s
responsibility. It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on, and
that’s what we’re going to do,” he affirmed.

The former Chief of Defence Staff noted that he was
returning to a familiar terrain, pledging to channel the goodwill he has
received into tangible outcomes.

“I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians.
Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work
whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” he said.

Musa also revealed that the President charged him with
delivering security that is felt in homes, farms, and schools nationwide.

“I just met Mr President, and he reiterated his view that we
must make sure that Nigeria is secured. Nigerians should go back and sleep with
their eyes closed, go back to their farms, and schools should operate without
being molested. Everyone will be carried along to ensure that Nigeria continues
to grow in line with the Renewed Hope Programme of Mr. President,” he
explained.

Musa’s remarks came barely 24 hours after his five-hour
Senate screening and eventual confirmation on Wednesday.

He succeeds Mohammed Badaru, who served from August 28,
2023, until his resignation on December 1, 2025.

It was Musa’s second visit to the Villa this week. At 7:03
p.m. (local time) on Monday, our correspondent sighted him being ushered into
the premises to see the President. Tinubu announced his nomination the next
day, Tuesday. On Thursday, he arrived at the Villa at about 3:47 pm to be sworn
in.

His appointment came barely two months after his retirement
in a broad shake-up of the military high command on October 24, 2025.

General Musa, 58, is a distinguished soldier who served as
Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell
Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his primary and
secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in
Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the
same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a second
lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments
include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division;
Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements,
Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member,
Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff,
Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector
3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task
Force in the Lake Chad region.

In 2021, Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation
Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before
being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.

In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed
confidence in Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further
strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

His return to the security council comes a month after
United States President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of
Particular Concern and threatened military action over alleged mass killings of
Christians.