Christopher Gwabin Musa | |
|---|---|
| Chief of Defence Staff | |
| In office 19 June 2023 – present | |
| President | Bola Tinubu |
| Preceded by | Lucky Irabor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 December 1967 Sokoto, Northern Region, Nigeria (now in Sokoto State) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1991–present |
| Rank |  Major general |
Major general Christopher Gwabin Musa (born December 25, 1967) is the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria.[1] He was appointed by Bola Tinubu on 19 June 2023.[2][3]
Early life and education edit
Musa was born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto in the defunct Northern Region (now in Sokoto State), Nigeria. He hails from Zangon Kataf, southern Kaduna State of Nigeria.[1]
In 1974, Musa attended Marafa Danbaba Primary School Sokoto, and left to Model Primary School Dorowa Road Sokoto in 1978 where he remained until 1980. He underwent training in a Vocational Training Centre in Gaummi, Sokoto between 1980–1981.[4]
In 1981, he was enrolled into the Federal Government College, Sokoto, until 1985 when he got admitted into he the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, and was there until 1986.[4]
In 1986, Musa was enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) on graduation in 1991 and got commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant.[1][4]
In September 1991, he enrolled as a member of the 38th Regular Course 21 in the Nigerian Defense Academy and underwent a Mechanical Transportation Officers Course in 1992.
In 1993, Musa went through the Young Officers Course in Infantry, the Regimental Signal Officers Course in 1998, and 2000, a Junior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji. Between 2004-2005, he went through a Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji. Between 2007-2008, he earned an Advanced Diploma in Security Management from University of Lagos.[4]
Between 2012-2013, Musa obtained an Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategies Course, and a Masters of Science (Military Science), International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University (ICDS-NDU), Changping, China.[1]
In 2017, Musa went through a Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course on Leadership, US Army War College.[4]
Career edit
Musa was the General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division. He also held the positions of Commanding Officer 73 Battalion, Assistant Director Operational Requirements at Department of Army Policy and Plans, Infantry Representative/Member Training Team at HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.[4]
In 2019, he was also the Deputy Chief, Staff Training/Operations, headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps, Commander Sector 3 Operation Lafiya Dole, Commander Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Tchad Region.[5][4]
In 2021, Musa was the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai.[5] His last position before his appointment as Chief of Defense Staff[6] was Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.[4]
Awards edit
In 2022, he won the Colin Powel Meritorious Award for Soldiering.[7][8]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Meet Nigeria's new Service Chiefs: Details and facts". PM News Nigeria. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ "Ribadu upgraded to NSA, Lagbaja named army chief… Tinubu appoints new security chiefs". TheCable. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ Sanni, Kunle (June 19, 2023). "Tinubu names ex-aide Egbetokun police inspector-general; Abiodun Lagbaja chief of army staff". Peoples Gazette. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kanu, Peace; Origin, Nokai Origin (June 20, 2023). "Meet Nigeria's New Service Chiefs". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ a b "PROFILE: Meet New Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa". Channels Television. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ Samson, Benjamin (June 19, 2023). "Group Hails Appointment of Musa as CDS". Blueprint. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ "Gen Musa, N'East Theatre Commander, Wins Collin Powel Award for Soldiering". PR Nigeria. October 10, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ "Group hails Maj-Gen C.G. Musa's appointment as CDS". The Authority. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.