By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday told the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa (retd), that there would be no excuses for failure as he assumes the office of Minister of Defence.
This came after a tension-filled screening that placed Nigeria’s security crisis under a microscope.
What began as a routine confirmation hearing quickly escalated into confrontation when Senator Sani Musa moved that the nominee be allowed the traditional “bow-and-go” privilege.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio overruled the motion, declaring, “This is not a time for routine procedures. Where are the children? Where is Brigadier General Uba? Nigerians want answers.”
Over the next three hours, senators interrogated Musa on operational failures, including troop withdrawals days before the Borno school kidnapping and the inexplicable vulnerability that allowed terrorists to abduct a senior military officer.
Akpabio, visibly concerned, said global partners were watching Nigeria closely, remarking that even “Donald Trump is on our neck.”
He said Nigerians expected a defence minister who could deliver results, not excuses.
*We can’t fight terrorism with outdated tools, says Musa as lawmakers grill, confirm him
General Musa, acknowledging the lapses, described the incidents as “painful, unacceptable failures” and promised immediate investigations.
He questioned how a brigade commander could be left unprotected and warned that any form of indiscipline or dereliction under his watch would be met with consequences.
Pressed on the military’s longstanding equipment deficits, Musa did not equivocate.
“We cannot fight 21st-century threats with outdated tools,” he said, pledging to present a comprehensive needs assessment to the Senate.
He vowed to redirect troops from static checkpoints to frontline deployments, tighten borders, and invest heavily in surveillance technology, intelligence platforms, and advanced weaponry.
He warned that instability across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger posed immediate dangers, noting that “whatever happens in the Sahel eventually finds its way here because terrorists see Nigeria as the ultimate prize.”
Musa agreed with lawmakers that many rural and urban schools remain dangerously exposed.
He pledged to strengthen the Safe School Initiative, emphasising that security must begin at the local level through community engagement, intelligence sharing and strategic partnerships.
He called for deeper cooperation among Ministries, Departments and Agencies, lamenting that many were not working at full capacity.
Given the transnational nature of terrorism, he said Nigeria must harmonise operations with neighbouring states.
Musa also highlighted unregulated mining as a significant source of revenue for criminal networks, urging urgent legislative reforms and technological oversight.
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume urged Musa to champion a First Line Charge funding model for the military to eliminate delays in arms procurement and logistics.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan supported the call, warning that the armed forces “cannot continue fighting with bare hands.”
Lawmakers, however, commended Musa’s past counterterrorism successes, particularly his role in restoring stability to Monguno after years of insurgent dominance.
The nominee said his stewardship would be anchored on accountability, inter-agency cooperation, community participation and regional diplomacy.
“Nigerians deserve to sleep with their two eyes closed,” he declared. “From day one, we will review everything.”
After hours of heated exchanges, the chamber finally settled. Akpabio rose to restore order, reminding senators that Nigerians expected clarity and commitment amid heightened insecurity.
Satisfied with Musa’s responses—and his willingness to confront hard truths—the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed him as the new Minister of Defence.
The message from the Red Chamber was unmistakable:
No excuses, no delays, no lapses—deliver security or be held accountable.
