The Senate on Wednesday confirmed General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence after concluding his screening.

The confirmation followed a request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging lawmakers to approve Musa as the replacement for Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday due to health concerns.

Tinubu had earlier forwarded Musa’s nomination to the upper chamber on Tuesday, expressing confidence in his ability to reinforce the country’s security architecture and reposition the ministry as Nigeria continues to grapple with rising insecurity.

Earlier reports noted that lawmakers had already begun screening the former Chief of Defence Staff shortly after receiving the President’s letter.