By Chidi Omeje
As Nigeria continues its unrelenting battle against terrorism, banditry, and other internal security threats, the exit of General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the country’s military leadership.
His tenure, though not without challenges, was distinguished by uncommon transparency, strategic discipline, and an unwavering sense of duty to both the Armed Forces and the Nigerian people.
When General Musa was appointed the 18th Chief of Defence Staff, Nigeria was contending with multiple layers of insecurity including insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West and North Central, communal and secessionist tensions in parts of the South, and a wave of oil theft and piracy in the Niger Delta.
He assumed office at a time when public confidence in the nation’s security architecture was fragile, and morale within the ranks was being tested by the scope and complexity of ongoing operations.
Yet, from his first days in office, General Musa projected calm, competence, and purpose. His leadership brought a renewed sense of coordination among the services, ensuring that inter-agency rivalries were reduced and that joint operations became more synergized.
He strengthened the Armed Forces' joint operational doctrines, particularly in the counter-insurgency and anti-banditry theatres, and insisted that the military remain professional, apolitical, and firmly under civil authority.
Perhaps the most defining aspect of Gen. Musa’s leadership was his communication style: open, honest, and remarkably people-centered.
He was a communicator-in-chief, and was never one to hide behind bureaucratic silence. Instead, he chose to speak directly to Nigerians, often giving situation reports on ongoing operations and updating the public on both victories and setbacks.
He believed that Nigerians deserved to know how their Armed Forces were faring, and he carried them along with candour and consistency. When troops made significant gains against terrorists, he celebrated them publicly; when the military suffered losses, he acknowledged them with humility and compassion. This rare transparency not only humanized the Armed Forces but also helped rebuild trust between the military and the citizenry; that is definitely a crucial component of national security management.
Within the defence circle, General Musa was known as a disciplined and result-oriented commander. His orders were clear and unambiguous, his expectations precise.
He demanded excellence, accountability, and loyalty from his officers, and he ensured that every directive was executed with diligence. Yet, beneath that firmness lay a deep sense of fairness and empathy for the troops. He often spoke of the sacrifices of soldiers in the frontlines, emphasizing their courage and the need to care for their welfare and families.
Under his watch, there was a renewed push for operational efficiency, improved inter-service cooperation, and stronger morale across formations. His insistence on discipline and clarity of purpose helped sustain the tempo of operations against terrorist and bandit elements across multiple theatres.
General Musa’s loyalty to the Nigerian state and the President, as Commander-in-Chief, was unwavering. He upheld the military’s subordination to civilian authority which is a hallmark of his professionalism and patriotism.
His respect for democratic governance and his commitment to national unity reflected not only his military training but also his moral conviction that the Armed Forces must remain a stabilizing institution for Nigeria’s democracy.
Throughout his tenure, Gen. Musa pursued a pragmatic security strategy focused on adaptive operations and community engagement. He encouraged the military’s collaboration with local communities, vigilante groups, and traditional institutions, believing that winning the trust of the populace was central to defeating insurgency and other asymmetric threats.
While the enormity of Nigeria’s security challenges meant that complete peace was not achieved, his leadership maintained operational momentum and prevented further escalation of conflict across several regions. His ability to hold the line, keeping the military effective and cohesive amid daunting pressures, was in itself an achievement.
As General Musa bows out, he leaves behind a reputation for courage, clarity, and credibility.
He will be remembered as a Defence Chief who faced the truth, told the truth, and acted with integrity.
His tenure reaffirmed that leadership in the armed forces is not just about strategy and strength; it is also about communication, empathy, and trust.
The new Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Oluyede, an equally excellent officer, inherits a complex security landscape, but also a military that has been steadied and strengthened by the leadership ethos of General Chris Musa, a soldier’s soldier who led with firmness, fairness, and faith in Nigeria’s future.
Chidi Omeje is the publisher of Security Digest.