Biography
Christopher Musa Biography: Religion, Tribe, State of Origin, Wife, and Tinubu Meeting Details
Who is General Christopher Gwabin Musa?
General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, is a highly decorated Nigerian Army General who rose to become the 18th Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria. He was appointed to this prestigious role by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, and served until October 24, 2025.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Christopher Gwabin Musa |
| Date of Birth | December 25, 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Sokoto, Sokoto State (then North-Western State) |
| State of Origin | Kaduna State |
| LGA/Hometown | Zangon Kataf (Southern Kaduna) |
| Tribe | Tyap (Also known as Atyap) |
| Religion | Christianity (He was raised in a committed Christian home in Sokoto) |
| Rank | General |
| Last Major Post | Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) |
Family, Tribe, and Religion
General Musa’s roots are firmly established in Southern Kaduna.
- State of Origin & Tribe: He hails from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State and belongs to the Tyap ethnic group. In 2023, he and his wife were honored with the traditional title of Tsuung Atyap, meaning “Pillar of Atyap,” by the Agwatyap (traditional ruler).
- Religion: General Musa is a Christian. His parents, Musa Sukwai Gwabin and Asabe Sabanet, were devoted leaders in the ECWA Church in Sokoto, where he was raised.
- Wife: General Musa is married, and his wife has been publicly acknowledged alongside him, notably when they received the Tsuung Atyap title together. Specific details about his children, such as their names or number, are not widely published, but they are known to have a family.
Career Highlights: From Cadet to CDS
General Musa’s military career spans over three decades, marked by professionalism and key commands in combating insurgency:
- Education: He was a member of the 38th Regular Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps in 1991. He holds a Master of Science (Military Science) from the National Defence University in Beijing, China, among other qualifications.
- Key Appointments: His distinguished service includes critical roles, particularly in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts:
- Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole
- Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region
- Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI (2021), where he spearheaded successful operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP.
- Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps (before CDS appointment)
- Awards: He is an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and a recipient of the Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering (2022).
Ex-CDS Christopher Musa Visits President Tinubu
On Monday, December 1, 2025 (which was yesterday relative to the time of this writing), General Christopher Musa (Rtd.) held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
- Context: This was General Musa’s first known visit to the Villa since his retirement as CDS in October 2025.
- Purpose: Although the official details were not disclosed, sources indicated the meeting was linked to the worsening insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria, including recent high-profile kidnappings and attacks.
- Significance: The consultation with the retired CDS, known for his successful operational command in the North-East, suggests President Tinubu may be seeking his expertise and insights as the government intensifies its efforts to address the national security emergency.
