Christopher Gwabin Musa Bio: Wife, Age, Children, Parents, Net Worth, Religion, Tribe

Biography

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (born 25 December 1967) is a retired Nigerian Army officer and the current Minister of Defence of Nigeria, a position he has held since December 2025 following Senate confirmation.

A career infantry officer from Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State (born in Sokoto), he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1991 after graduating from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He held key commands, including Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (2021–2022) in the fight against Boko Haram. He served as the 18th Chief of Defence Staff from June 2023 until his retirement in October 2025.

Musa holds advanced qualifications in military science and strategy, and has received honours including the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Nigerian Army officer ‧ Minister of Defence of Nigeria
Christopher Gwabin Musa
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Christopher Gwabin Musa
Stage Name:	General Christopher Gwabin Musa
Born:	25 December 1967 (age 57 years old)
Place of Birth:	Sokoto State, Nigeria
State Of Origin:	Sokoto State
Nationality:	Nigerian
Education:	Marafa Danbaba Primary School, Model Primary School, Sokoto, Federal Government College, Sokoto, College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, University of Lagos, National Defence University, US Army War College
Height:	173 cm
Parents:	Musa Sukwai Gwabin, Asabe Mallam Sabanet
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Lilian Oghogho Musa
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	4
Occupation:	Army Officer
Net Worth:	$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Christopher Gwabin Musa was born on 25 December 1967 in Sokoto, in the then North-Western State (now Sokoto State), Nigeria, into a Christian family of Atyap ethnicity originally from Zangon Kataf in Southern Kaduna.

His parents, who had relocated to Sokoto for work, raised him in a minority Christian community within the predominantly Muslim Sokoto Caliphate, emphasizing discipline, faith, patience, and service through missionary education and active involvement in the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).

His father, Musa Sukwai Gwabin (born 13 May 1939 in Masukwai village, Zangon Kataf; died 6 October 2021), worked as a sales representative and served as an Elder in the 1st ECWA Bishara Church, Sokoto. His mother, Asabe Mallam Sabanet (born 25 November 1945 in Samaru Atyap, Zangon Kataf; died 29 March 2018), was a leader in the church’s Women’s Fellowship.

They married on 18 August 1962. No specific public details are available about his siblings, though he was part of a larger family.

Musa began his education at Marafa Danbaba Primary School, Sokoto (1974–1978), then transferred to Model Primary School, Sokoto (1978–1980), and later completed vocational training in Gaummi, Sokoto (1980–1981).

He attended Federal Government College, Sokoto (1981–1985) for his secondary education, where he participated in the National Cadet Corps, and later the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria (1985–1986). He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, as part of the 38th Regular Course (1986–1991), graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree and commissioning into the Infantry Corps in 1991.

He pursued numerous advanced military and academic qualifications, including courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji; an Advanced Diploma in Security Management from the University of Lagos; a Master of Science in Military Science from the National Defence University, China; and leadership training at the US Army War College, among others.

Career

Christopher Gwabin Musa began his military journey on 21 September 1991, when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps after completing the 38th Regular Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Over more than three decades of service, he built a reputation for operational discipline, strategic insight, and strong leadership, rising steadily through positions centred on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism.

In his early years, Musa held key roles, including Platoon Commander, Intelligence Officer, and Administrative Officer, across several battalions.

As he advanced, he took on more senior responsibilities, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training/Operations) at Headquarters 81 Division, Commanding Officer of 73 Battalion between 2007 and 2009, Assistant Director of Operational Requirements in the Department of Army Policy and Plans, and Infantry Representative on the Training Team at Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps. These experiences deepened his expertise in operations, training, and policy formulation.

By 2019, he had become Deputy Chief of Staff (Training/Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps headquarters. He also commanded Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East.

He later led Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region, contributing significantly to multinational counter-terrorism efforts. In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, where his leadership helped weaken Boko Haram’s operational strength, improve civil–military relations, stabilize recaptured settlements, and enhance troop morale and welfare.

Following this, Musa served as Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before President Bola Tinubu appointed him the 18th Chief of Defence Staff on 19 June 2023.

As CDS, he coordinated joint military operations nationwide, strengthened inter-agency cooperation, improved logistics and intelligence frameworks, supported non-kinetic strategies alongside battlefield operations, and consistently advocated for human rights and soldier welfare. His tenure recorded notable achievements in counter-terrorism and regional security partnerships.

Musa retired from active service on 30 October 2025 after a formal pulling-out parade, concluding his career as a full General. His honours include the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), the Colin Powell Meritorious Award for Soldiering, and multiple service medals.

In December 2025, President Tinubu nominated him as Minister of Defence, and his appointment was confirmed by the Senate, marking his transition into civilian leadership. As Minister, he continues to champion the modernization of Nigeria’s defence architecture while addressing ongoing issues such as banditry and national security reforms.

Personal Life

Christopher Gwabin Musa was born on 25 December 1967, making him 57 years old.

He is married once, to Mrs Lilian Oghogho Musa (also referred to in some sources as Mrs Oghogho Musa), and the couple has been publicly acknowledged together on several occasions, including during traditional title conferments.

They are blessed with four children, though specific details such as names or ages are not widely publicized, reflecting the family’s preference for privacy amid his high-profile military and political career.

One less reliable source approximates his height at around 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm), but this is not consistently confirmed across official profiles.

Net Worth

General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the retired Nigerian Army officer and current Minister of Defence, has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million.

This figure reflects accumulated earnings from his 34-year military career, including salaries, allowances, pensions, and gratuities as a full General and former Chief of Defence Staff, along with typical perks for high-ranking officers such as housing and security provisions.

No credible sources indicate significant private investments, businesses, or other income streams beyond his legitimate service-related compensation, which remains modest relative to private sector standards in Nigeria.