By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On Friday, 24th October, 2025, the President announced sweeping changes in the military hierarchy.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, named General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

It added, “The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu; Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke is Chief of Air Staff; while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.”

The development came barely a week after an online media platform, Sahara Reporters, published a story alleging that some military officers plotted to remove President Tinubu.

Hence, the citizens summarily adjudged that General Christopher Musa was sacked on that note.

While on the other hand, Nigerians differ on his leadership role as the Chief of Defence Staff:

a. Some Nigerians are of the opinion that GC Musa did extremely well in the fight against insurgencies while serving as the CDS, stating that he intensified kinetic operations across multiple fronts, leading to the death of several high-value terrorist/bandit leaders.

b. Others opined that he performed poorly, citing the unending cases of terrorism and the reinforcement of its leaders who had been sent into exile previously.

In an extremely shocking wave, a month and some days after the relinquishment of GC Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff, news broke that he had been picked as Abubakar Badaru’s replacement, who had resigned as the Minister of Defence on health grounds.

Again, the public was thrown into another round of debate:

a. Who was sacked from office as CDS cannot be appointed as Minister for that same ministry.

b. GC Musa’s appointment is timely and meritorious.

The new Defence Minister was celebrated across all social media platforms by the latter group of Nigerians, while the other group expressed disbelief.

Well, the new Minister has assumed office and has started hitting the ground running from Friday, December 5, 2025.

However, a security analyst reached out to by this newspaper believed there is more to the going and coming of General Christopher, but which cannot be explained at the moment:

“Well, at this point, no one can really say much about the reason why he was sacked. If it was based on incompetence, then why is he back?” Mr. Yakubu said.
“Or could it be that he was sacked in order to prepare him for this current position?” our correspondent asked, and he replied, “No one can say.”

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The Challenges Ahead For GC Musa

Speaking further with the security expert, Yakubu Mohammed, he noted that although the new Defence Minister had stated that he cannot afford to fail Nigerians as they are expecting much, it is a no-brainer that Nigeria’s security issue is complex and dynamic—rooted in a deep interplay of historical grievances, economic marginalization, ethno-religious tensions, poor governance, and environmental pressures.

He mentioned that each of the factors listed above has its challenges, and as such, Nigerians are beginning to ponder how GC Musa will handle them.

Ultimately, Mr. Yakubu asserted that:

“The chief architect of those factors that birthed insecurity is CORRUPTION. If GC Musa can conquer the corruption that awaits him in the Defence Ministry, he might get it right.”

He continued, “Some of the key layers of corruption and systemic issues that can cripple effectiveness are obviously poor equipment, leaked intelligence, and poor leadership (from bought promotions) leading to battlefield losses and inability to secure territory. Emphasis on the leaked intelligence.”

When asked to shed more light on the emphasis about leaked intelligence, Mr. Yakubu categorically stated that selling operational intelligence to insurgents or criminal gangs for personal gain severely compromises missions and endangers lives, and that boils down to “operational failure.”

The security analyst also mentioned that GC Musa needs serious reforms in the ministry in order to prevail, but which will not be feasible if senior military and civilian officials within the establishment who are vested in the existing corrupt system, sabotaging reform efforts to protect their interests, are not stopped.

Most importantly, Mr. Yakubu recommended that for the success of GC Musa, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, must be sacked.

“That former governor of Zamfara State serving alongside GC Musa must go.”

“People like Bulama Bukarti and Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi should serve alongside General Christopher,” he added.

When asked what his reasons are for recommending the sacking of Bello Matawalle, the analyst, without mincing words, said that Matawalle is an associate of some of the bandit leaders.

“Right from the time he served as Zamfara State governor to now, he has repeatedly had connections with bandit leaders—questionable connections.”

“Such a personality in that ministry is capable of sabotaging efforts to combat those terrorists,” he added.

Mr. Yakubu conclusively ended the interview by asking our correspondent an intriguing question:

“Why haven’t the security operatives captured Turji—the bandit lord, yet?”

A question in which an answer truly aligns with his take on the minister.

The security expert also suggested that:

“The military’s inherent culture of secrecy can be used as a shield to block necessary civilian oversight and transparency initiatives.”

But added that it will be difficult if Matawalle continues to be in the structure.

Ultimately, as explained by the security expert, the new Defence Minister’s biggest battle may not be against external adversaries, but against the entrenched “institutional corruption” within the defence establishment itself. Success will depend less on military strategy and more on courageous governance, systemic reform, and ruthless integrity.