The Oodua Youth Parliament (OYP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as a prompt and strategic response to Nigeria’s rising security challenges, following the appointment of General Christopher Musa (rtd) as the new Minister of Defence. General Musa’s appointment comes after the resignation of the former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down on health grounds.

In a statement issued and signed by the Speaker of the Parliament, Aare Abdulmajeed Oladimeji Oyeniyi, the OYP said the choice of Musa reflects the administration’s determination to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and reposition defence leadership for better outcomes.

The Parliament noted that General Musa brings to the role decades of operational and command experience across the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters, and is well-placed to understand the administrative, strategic, and political complexities confronting the armed forces. The Group observed that Nigeria continues to face multi-layered security threats across the regions including terrorism in the North-East and South-East, banditry in the North-West, kidnapping in the North-Central, and smuggling and trans-border crimes in the South-West.

It urged the new minister to approach the assignment as a national call to duty, adding that public expectations remain high. The organization called for improved border security, enhanced intelligence sharing, and more effective monitoring of military operations across the country. It also encouraged General Musa to pursue reform-minded leadership, deepen collaboration among the service chiefs, and promote justice, professionalism, and transparency in all security engagements.