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Ministry of Defence

Civilian control of the Nigerian Armed Forces and defence policy.

Legal basisWebsite

Honourable Minister of Defence

Christopher Gwabin MusaAppointed 2025

From Kaduna State, North West · Federal character

What the Constitution says

  • s.147(2)

    The President appoints every minister, but only after the Senate confirms the nomination. At least one minister must come from each state (s.147(3)).

  • s.5(1)

    The executive power of the Federation belongs to the President, who may exercise it directly or through the Vice-President, ministers and other officers.

2026 budget

All ministries

₦3.16 trillion4.6% of the ₦68.32 trillion budget

  • Salaries ₦2.39 trillion
  • Running costs ₦299 billion
  • Projects ₦466 billion

Largest lines, of 23

  1. Nigerian Army₦1.51 trillion · p.67
  2. Nigerian Navy₦444 billion · p.67
  3. Nigerian Airforce₦407 billion · p.67
  4. Defence Headquarters₦257 billion · p.67
  5. Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army₦112 billion · p.67

Source: 2026 Appropriation Act, p.67

Where it appears in the news

  • Army chief seeks deeper regional defence partnerships

    Sep 30, 2026

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called for deeper regional defence partnerships among ECOWAS states to tackle security threats.

    punchng.com ↗

  • Army Deploys Three New Battalions To Strengthen Security In Zamfara

    Sep 30, 2026

    In separate remarks, the Emir of Bakura, Alhaji Bello Sani; Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad; and Emir of Kaura Namoda, Major Dr Sanusi Mohammed Ahmed Asha (rtd), commended the Nigerian Army for establishing the additional battalions.

    channelstv.com ↗

  • Abia urges youths to join Navy recruitment

    Sep 30, 2026

    By Steve Oko UMUAHIA — The Abia State Government has urged qualified youths across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state to take advantage of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School Batch 39 recruitment exercise. The government, in a public service announ

    vanguardngr.com ↗
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria oversees Ministry of Defence. s.5(1): The executive power of the Federation belongs to the President, who may exercise it directly or through the Vice-President, ministers and other officers.People of Nigeria elects President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. s.132–134: Voters elect the President every four years. To win outright, a candidate needs the most votes and at least a quarter of the votes cast in two-thirds of the states and the FCT.Senate of Nigeria confirms Ministry of Defence. s.147(2): The President appoints every minister, but only after the Senate confirms the nomination. At least one minister must come from each state (s.147(3)).National Assembly oversees Senate of Nigeria. s.47–49: The National Assembly is two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and voters elect both.People of Nigeria elects National Assembly. s.47–49: The National Assembly is two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and voters elect both.President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appoints Ministry of Defence. s.147(2): The President appoints every minister, but only after the Senate confirms the nomination. At least one minister must come from each state (s.147(3)).Olayemi CardosoOla OlukoyedeMusa Adamu AliyuJoash AmupitanHafsat Abubakar BakariAnthony OjukwuMohammed Bello ShehuVacant seatFemi GbajabiamilaHashimu Salihu ArgunguAyo Hulayat OmidiranBashir AbubakarShaakaa Kanyitor ChiraNasir Isa KwarraTunji OlaopaGeorge AkumeAdebowale AdedokunNuhu RibaduAbel Olumuyiwa EnitanNyesom WikeJoseph Olasunkanmi TegbeShuaibu Abubakar AuduDavid UmahiAyodele OlawandeAbubakar Atiku BaguduMuhammad Ali PateMuhammadu Maigari DingyadiAdegboyega OyetolaChristopher Gwabin MusaTaiwo OyedeleMuttaqa Rabe DarmaLateef Olasunkanmi FagbemiKingsley T. UdehFestus KeyamoJumoke OduwoleOlubunmi Tunji-OjoMaruf Tunji AlausaIdi Mukhtar MaihaBola Ahmed TinubuAbubakar KyariBalarabe Abbas LawalMohammed IdrisImaan Sulaiman-IbrahimBosun TijaniIbrahim GaidamOladele Henry AlakeZephaniah Bitrus JisaloSa'idu AlkaliBianca Odumegwu-OjukwuJoseph Terlumun UtsevHannatu Musa MusawaBernard M. DoroAbubakar MomohKudirat Kekere-EkunKudirat Kekere-EkunMonica Dongban-MensemJohn TsohoMainasara Umar KogoEmmanuel Akomaye Parker UndiandeyeOlufemi OluyedeWaidi ShaibuIdi AbbasSunday Kelvin AnekeJUDICIALLEGISLATIVEEXECUTIVEFECNATIONAL ASSEMBLYPRESIDENCYFEDERAL BODIESMINISTRIESAbuja, Federal Capital TerritoryPeople of Nigeria
Key

Entities

Relationships

ElectsAppointsConfirmsOverseesChairs

  • Troops rescue 24 kidnapped victims, arrest 14 suspects

    Sep 29, 2026

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have within the last 24 hours rescued no fewer than 24 kidnapped victims, arrested 14 suspects and recovered about 800 rustled cattle in separate operations nationwide. An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nige

    dailytrust.com ↗

  • Tinubu Returns To Nigeria After Four-Week European Vacation

    Sep 29, 2026

    The President arrived in Lagos from Paris aboard Nigerian Air Force One, with the aircraft taxiing into the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 6:22pm on Tuesday.

    channelstv.com ↗

  • Despite fresh troop deployment, Plateau NBA says attacks expose security gaps

    Sep 28, 2026

    The Nigerian Army has deployed 178 personnel to reinforce security operations in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State amid renewed attacks.

    premiumtimesng.com ↗

  • COAS Operationalises 28 Armoured Brigade in Kebbi, Assures Residents of Enhanced Security

    Sep 28, 2026

    Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the development was part of efforts by the Nigerian Army to strengthen security operations and improve the protection of vulnerable communities across the state.

    channelstv.com ↗