By TOCHUKWU JIMO OBI

The appointment of General Christopher Musa (Rtd) as Nigeria's Minister of Defence by President Bola Tinubu has generated broad approval across the country. His emergence comes at a time when the nation is wrestling with layered security challenges, from terrorism and banditry to organised crime. Many see his return as not only timely but also fitting, given his operational background and reputation for firm, coordinated leadership.

Musa's years in active service, particularly his role as the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, place him in a unique position. He brings first-hand knowledge of the nation's most volatile conflict zones and understands the structural weaknesses within the security architecture. This experience is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to curb insecurity and stabilise affected regions.

As he settles into his new office, he is entering with a mandate built purely on merit. Nigerians are not merely hopeful; they demand tangible outcomes. His prior achievements set a high bar, and the public expects decisions anchored in competence rather than sentiment. The weight of expectations is heavy, but so is the confidence placed in him.

A core responsibility before him is ensuring unity among the Service Chiefs. Nigeria's security agencies have too often operated like rival bodies instead of complementary forces. That culture needs to be dismantled. Effective synergy must replace unhealthy competition, and intelligence sharing should become the norm rather than the exception.

During his ministerial screening, Musa stressed the need to reposition the military for strategic combat roles and withdraw soldiers from routine policing on the roads. Nigerians will hold him to that commitment. Police and civil defence personnel must reclaim their conventional duties, while the military focuses on overpowering insurgents and terrorists. Ending extortion at checkpoints is also overdue, and offenders should face real consequences.

Another pressing concern is the shabby condition of salaries and welfare packages across the security sector. Members of the armed forces, the police, and the paramilitary endure enormous risks yet receive compensation that barely supports their families. This gap is not just morally troubling, it fuels misconduct. A comprehensive and urgent wage review would help restore dignity and reduce the temptation to engage in corrupt practices.

Attention must also extend to retirees and the families of fallen officers. Years of delayed benefits and bureaucratic neglect erode morale and dishonour the sacrifices made in service to the nation. Timely payment of entitlements should be treated as a non-negotiable obligation.

Civilian cooperation remains another crucial pillar in the fight against insecurity. Citizens must be encouraged to supply timely, actionable intelligence, and the confidentiality of informants must be protected. Public participation can accelerate progress, but only if trust is consistently maintained.

General Musa returns to familiar terrain, but the landscape has evolved and the stakes are higher. Success will require discipline, political independence, and a willingness to confront long-standing institutional failures. If leadership, personnel, and citizens all play their part, the nation stands a better chance of reclaiming peace. God bless Nigeria.

•Tochukwu Jimo Obi, a current affairs commentator writes from Obosi Anambra State.

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