General CG Musa

06/08/2026

04/08/2026

ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) must work together to defeat terrorism, neutralize transnational criminals and safeguard the future of West Africa. This was the central message of my engagements today as I arrived in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, for a three-day working visit focused on strengthening regional defence partnership and aligning our collective response to security threats.

The threats confronting our region neither recognise nor respect national borders. They demand closer coordination, sustained intelligence sharing and practical cooperation among neighbouring states. We must build a security framework that is equal to the task of confronting terrorism, violent extremism, cross-border crime and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.

As part of the visit, I met with our gallant Nigerian troops stationed at Togbin, where I conveyed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to their welfare and the continuous enhancement of their operational capacity. Their sacrifice remain vital to Nigeria's security and to our contributions to regional peace and stability.

I also visited the Nigeria House, where I was received by Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Mopelola Ibrahim.

Nigeria will continue to work with its neighbours in pursuit of a secure and more stable West Africa.

31/07/2026

The South-East occupies a unique place in Nigeria's development. Its entrepreneurial spirit, industrial enterprise, innovation, creativity, and immense human capital have long been among the driving forces of our nation's economic progress. To sustain and expand these strengths, the region must enjoy an atmosphere of peace and security. Security is the foundation upon which investment grows, businesses flourish, industries expand, jobs are created, and communities prosper. Without it, economic progress is constrained and development is inevitably slowed.

It was against this backdrop that I had the honour of declaring open the first-ever South-East Security Summit in Umuahia, Abia State, an important initiative convened by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), under the theme, "Strengthening Community Resilience for Enhanced National Security." The summit was aimed at fostering a more inclusive and collaborative approach to addressing security challenges in the region.
Coming on the heels of my visit to Abia State to honour the memory of Nigeria's first Military Head of State, Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, the summit further strengthened our approach to build a united, peaceful, and secure Nigeria.

As the first of its kind, this initiative marked a deliberate shift towards a more collaborative approach to addressing the region's security challenges. Sustainable peace cannot be built by security agencies alone; it must also be shaped by the voices, experiences, and active participation of the people themselves. That was why we came together to listen, deliberate, understand local realities, and work with critical stakeholders to develop practical, community-driven solutions.

I was encouraged by the presence and commitment of traditional rulers, religious leaders, senior security officials, community leaders, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, and other critical stakeholders, whose contributions reflected a solid determination to strengthen stability in the region through collective responsibility.

The Federal Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains resolute in its commitment to strengthen national security, protect every Nigerian, and create the conditions for sustainable peace and prosperity.

I sincerely appreciate the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, for hosting the first-ever South-East Security Summit and for the warm hospitality extended to us. I also commend the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East) and every stakeholder whose support contributed to the success of this landmark initiative.

To the good people of the South-East, I thank you for your warm reception and for embracing this vision of peace, security, and development.

30/07/2026

Yesterday, I had the honour of representing His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 60th Memorial Anniversary of Nigeria's first Military Head of State, Late Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, in Umuahia, Abia State.

The memorial provided an opportunity to honour the life, service, and sacrifice of the late Head of State, while reflecting on the importance of national unity, peace, and reconciliation in strengthening our nation.

28/07/2026

Yesterday, I joined the wives and widows of our Armed Forces personnel at a training and financial empowerment programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in partnership with SMEDAN.

The programme reflects our intentional commitment to the welfare of the men and women who defend our nation, as well as the families whose sacrifices sustain them in service.

I reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to the welfare of our Armed Forces personnel, acknowledging the prevailing economic realities and the immense sacrifices they continue to make in the service of our nation. I also expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts to enhance their welfare will, in due course, culminate in further positive measures, including an upward review of their remuneration.

I commend SMEDAN for empowering 500 widows and wives of our service personnel with financial support to strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods. This initiative reinforces our belief that supporting military families is an essential part of building a stronger Armed Forces.

To our gallant officers and soldiers, and to your spouses and families, thank you for your sacrifices, courage and dedicated service to our dear nation. Your dedication inspires us, and we remain committed to improving your welfare.

July 27, 2026.

26/07/2026

When I appeared before the Senate as Minister-designate, I stressed that technology is indispensable to modern security and reiterated the need for a unified national database that gives every Nigerian a unique, verifiable identity.

That conviction continues to guide our efforts. Effective security begins with the ability to accurately identify and verify individuals, distinguish law-abiding citizens from potential threats, and maintain clear awareness of who enters, exits, and resides within our borders.

Yesterday, I received the Director General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team at the Ministry of Defence. Our engagement focused on consolidating institutional efforts towards the implementation of the NIMC Act 2026, with emphasis on strengthening identity verification, safeguarding data integrity, and advancing a secure digital identity ecosystem to support intelligence-led operations.

Data is a security asset. It enables timely, informed decision-making, sharpens intelligence gathering, enhances inter-agency coordination, and strengthens our capacity to respond decisively to threats.

By reinforcing trusted identity systems and inter-agency cooperation, we are laying firmer foundations for a safer, more secure Nigeria.

July 26, 2026.

24/07/2026

15/07/2026

Our engagements in China are focused on practical outcomes that will strengthen Nigeria's defence industrial base, advance our vision of a modern, technology-driven and self-reliant defence sector, and build lasting defence partnerships with China.

MISION PRIORITIES AND NATIONAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

14/07/2026

As part of our broader vision for a stronger and more self-reliant defence, I am in Beijing, China to evoke a more profound defence partnership with China and unlock new opportunities that will strengthen our military potency and defence.

​Our focus is on practical cooperation that delivers lasting value; expanding local manufacturing through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), driving technology transfer, building technical expertise, embracing emerging technologies, and fostering industrial partnerships that support the modernisation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

​The indigenous innovations showcased during the Research, Development and Innovation Exhibition at the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration are a hallmark of the progress already being made in local defence production. Our engagements in China are therefore aimed at building on that momentum by expanding production capacity and accelerating Nigeria's journey towards defence industrial self-reliance.

​Beyond strengthening bilateral ties, these engagements are about positioning Nigeria to produce more of its defence requirements at home, enhance operational readiness, and build a stronger defence industrial ecosystem capable of supporting our national security objectives.

July 14, 2026.

10/07/2026

Sustainable security is achieved when communities, local governments, traditional institutions, security agencies, and government coalesce toward a unified objective.

I shared this and more at the ARISE TV Town Hall on Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security, where I joined fellow panelists and other stakeholders to dissect the future of Nigeria's security architecture and the pragmatic interventions required to confront our mutating threat landscape.

I maintained that while military operations remain paramount in the fight against terrorism and banditry, they must be fortified by a whole-of-society approach predicated upon intelligence, trust, and synergy. Our local governments, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and communities all have indispensable roles to play in strengthening early warning systems, supporting local intelligence gathering, and denying criminals the space to thrive.

Asymmetric warfare presents unique challenges because the enemy often hides within the communities we seek to protect. This is why active citizen participation is critical in the fight.

June 9, 2026.