Nigeria’s Minister of Defence nominee, Gen Christopher Musa (rtd), has issued a grave warning that terrorist groups across Africa now view Nigeria as a lucrative destination for expansion and exploitation. Speaking during his Senate screening on December 3, 2025, Musa stated that extremist networks believe Nigeria is wealthy enough to sustain their operations, making the country their preferred future base.
According to Musa, “the terrorists we are dealing with think Nigeria is so rich that when they come to Nigeria, they can make it. So anything they are doing anywhere, their target is to come to Nigeria.” His comment, delivered with stark candour, immediately drew the attention of senators and security observers who described it as one of the most direct assessments of Nigeria’s regional vulnerability in recent years.
The former Chief of Defence Staff explained that the nation’s security threats cannot be viewed in isolation, insisting that groups operating in the Sahel and surrounding regions are repositioning themselves for infiltration into Nigeria. He stressed that Nigeria’s size, economic potential, and porous borders make it a strategic target for both ideological extremists and profit-driven militant organisations.
Musa, who retired from service on October 30 after a two-year tenure marked by major counterterrorism operations, told lawmakers that the next phase of national defence must prioritise intelligence coordination, border security, and proactive regional diplomacy. He argued that failure to act swiftly would embolden groups who already see Nigeria as “the prize.”
The Senate screening, which lasted nearly five hours, saw Musa answering questions on national insecurity, military welfare, inter-agency cooperation, weapons procurement, and the evolving tactics of non-state actors. His warning about Nigeria’s perceived wealth resurfaced on social media moments after Channels Television broadcast the session live, sparking renewed debate on whether the government is doing enough to fortify the country against external threats.
Security analysts say Musa’s statement underscores a broader concern: as instability deepens in parts of West Africa, displaced terror cells may shift their operations toward more stable but economically attractive nations. With Nigeria facing persistent challenges—from banditry to cross-border infiltration—many observers believe Musa’s appointment could signal a more assertive defence posture under President Tinubu’s administration.
As the Senate prepares to confirm his nomination, Nigerians continue to react to the stark admission. For many, Musa’s words serve as a sobering reminder that the country’s security architecture must evolve quickly to meet threats that no longer respect borders or boundaries.
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