Christopher Gwabin Musa Biography (2025): Real Name, Age, Origin, Family & Career
General Christopher Gwabin Musa is a highly regarded Nigerian military officer and a former Chief of Defence Staff. He was appointed to the role in June 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Known for his tactical brilliance, strategic skills, and discipline, Christopher Musa has played a pivotal role in leading the fight against banditry, insurgency, and terrorism.
Quick Facts
| Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Gwabin Musa |
| Date of Birth | December 25, 1967 |
| Age (2025) | 58 years old |
| Place of Birth / Origin | Sokoto State, Nigeria; originally from Zangon Kataf, Kaduna State |
| Ethnic / Regional Background | Southern Kaduna (Christian minority) |
| Education | Nigerian Defence Academy (BSc Hons), Advanced Diplomas in Security Management & Defence Strategy (University of Lagos; International College of Defence Studies, China), MSc in Military Science, US Army War College course |
| Profession / Rank | Army General — Chief of Defence Staff (2023–2025) |
| Years of Service | 1986–2025 |
Early Life and Education
Christopher Musa was born in Sokoto State on the 25th of December 1967. Musa began his primary education at Marafa Danbaba Primary School in Sokoto in the year 1974, later attending Model Primary School and a vocational skills center between the years 1980 and 1981. For his secondary education, he studied at Federal Government College in Sokoto. Abubakar then spent a year at the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria before gaining admission to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1986.
Abubakar gained a BSc at the NDA and was commissioned into the Infantry Corps as an officer in 1991. Over the course of his career, he continued to expand his knowledge and even enrolled in a leadership course at the US Army War College.
Military Career and Rise through the Ranks
As an officer, Christopher Musa’s career spans four decades, and he has served in many roles, such as Platoon Commander at 192 Battalion, Intelligence Officer roles, Administrative Officer at divisional camps, and eventually Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion between 2007 and 2009. In the 2010’s he held critical staff and planning roles such as: Assistant Director of Operational Requirements at the Department of Army Policy and Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff for Training/Operations at HQ Infantry Centre, and Chief of Staff at HQ 2 Division.
He has also served as commander of various operations targeting insurgents and terrorists, such as when he served as Commander Sector 3 of both Operation Lafiya Dole and the multinational task force in the Lake Chad region, and when he served as the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (2021–2023).
He was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff in June 2023, following decades of service and commitment to fighting insurgency and terrorism, by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023 to spearhead the nation’s activities in countering insecurity and terrorism.
Leadership as Chief of Defence Staff & Legacy
As the Chief of Defence Staff, he oversaw the drastic reformation of military operations and activities and took novel approaches aimed at keeping Nigeria more secure and safe from insurgency and terrorist attacks. He has been honoured with numerous awards for his selfless service, such as the Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering (2022), the Nelson Mandela Exemplary Leadership Award (2022), and a national honor as Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) for his relentless service to the nation.
In November 2025, Christopher Musa retired from his role as the Chief of Defence Staff, but his legacy will always live on, and his story will continue to be an inspiration to personnel of the armed forces who have dedicated their lives to serving this country and the ideals that it represents.
