THE Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has recounted how divine intervention shaped his rise to national leadership, revealing that his elevation came at a time when circumstances appeared stacked against him and conspiracies were allegedly formed to pull him down.
News Point Nigeria reports that Musa shared the testimony during a recent church service at the Conquerors Global Assembly in Abuja, where he attended worship alongside his wife.
The service was monitored by Church Times and later shared on its website on Sunday, with excerpts of the video circulating widely on social media.
Expressing gratitude to God, the defence minister said his journey to leadership was a testament to faith and perseverance, stressing that human opposition could not override divine purpose.
“We give God the glory for what has happened this year,” Musa told the congregation. “Even when the enemy thought they were putting us down, they did not know God was going to lift us up. In their small mind they conspired and thought they had won. But as long as you have God as your pillar, you will win.”
He thanked the founder of the church, Bishop David Abioye, describing him as a close ally, and also expressed appreciation to the bishop’s wife. Musa prayed for the continued growth and expansion of the ministry, urging worshippers to remain steadfast in faith regardless of challenges.
Addressing the congregation, the minister encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope, reminding them of what he described as God’s unfailing nature.
“Do not give up because we serve a living God. He will never give up on us,” he said.
Reflecting on leadership and personal development, Musa noted that challenges and adversity were essential for growth, stressing that hardship builds resilience and strength.
“If you are never challenged, you can never improve in life,” he said. “As Nigerians, we know we are strong, but we are stronger together with God Almighty. Nigerians are winners. We must continue to pray for our leaders and our country.”
The defence minister also cautioned against what he described as persistent negative narratives about Nigeria, warning that constant criticism weakens national morale and undermines collective progress.
“If you continue to talk down on your country, you don’t mean well,” he said, urging citizens to support national development with positive engagement and constructive dialogue.
Musa further called on Christians to practise what they profess, emphasising that true impact comes from living out one’s faith rather than merely declaring it.
His appointment as Minister of Defence followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision on December 2 to nominate him for the position after the resignation of his predecessor, Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down on health grounds.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to lead the Defence Ministry and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, citing his experience as a former Chief of Defence Staff.
Musa was subsequently sworn in two days after his nomination, formally assuming responsibility for overseeing the nation’s defence and security framework at a time of heightened security challenges across the country.