December has dawned on Nigeria’s security sector with a sense of urgency—and, perhaps, a glimmer of hope. After a turbulent November marked by escalating violence, diplomatic shocks, and a whirlwind of anti-corruption raids, the nation’s security and political leaders are doubling down on promises of reform and decisive action. The appointment and swearing-in of General Christopher Musa (rtd) as Minister of Defence on December 4, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in this ongoing struggle, as officials across the spectrum rally to restore stability and reassure a weary public.
General Musa, a former Chief of Defence Staff with deep roots in both Sokoto and Southern Kaduna, took office pledging that Nigerians would see real progress in national security “within the shortest possible time.” His message was clear: the days of fragmented responses and finger-pointing are over. “The synergy between the armed forces, between the military and other security agencies, and with all Nigerians must be strengthened. Security is everybody’s responsibility,” Musa asserted after his oath at the State House in Abuja, according to The Guardian. He emphasized not just military coordination, but also the need to mobilize citizens in a collective stand against insecurity. “Nigerians have shown me love, and I assure them that I will work, whatever it takes, to ensure that Nigeria is secured.”
President Bola Tinubu, whose administration has made security the centerpiece of its “Renewed Hope” agenda, gave Musa a firm and non-negotiable directive: deliver safety so Nigerians can “sleep with their eyes closed, return to their farms, send their children to school without fear, and live their lives without being molested.” Tinubu’s swift nomination and the Senate’s expedited confirmation of Musa drew praise even from political rivals, with the President noting, “His appointment comes at a critical juncture in our lives as a nation.”
Yet the optimism of new appointments is tempered by the realities on the ground. November 2025, as reported by security analyst Haroon Aremu in Inside November’s Security Landscape, was one of the most turbulent months in recent memory. Nigeria’s key security institutions—the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—were pushed to their limits. The month saw a surge in coordinated attacks, high-profile kidnappings, and a diplomatic shockwave after former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled Nigeria “a nation of global concern” and threatened military action over alleged religious persecution.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was thrust into the spotlight, both managing the domestic fallout and spearheading a diplomatic counteroffensive. At a peace dialogue in Abuja on December 4, Ribadu issued a stark warning to non-state actors: “Any individual or group seeking to exploit communities, exploit terror or undermine national unity, will face decisive, coordinated and uncompromising actions. We are going to defeat evil. We are going to defeat terror. We have a strong order in our country. We will never give up. We will never surrender, we will not.”
Ribadu’s remarks underscored Nigeria’s precarious position as “the only Sahel country that is still standing as a democracy,” a sobering reminder of the stakes involved. He highlighted tangible gains—over 775 terrorism-related convictions, insurgents surrendering, and thousands of farmers returning to their land—as evidence that a whole-of-society approach is beginning to bear fruit. “These shifts demonstrate the effectiveness of a whole-of-society approach when all sectors—government, communities, civil societies, the private sector and international partners—work collaboratively and in good faith,” he said, according to The Guardian.
But the threat of foreign intervention loomed large in public debate. Human rights activist Femi Falana cautioned that calls for external military involvement posed grave risks to Nigeria’s sovereignty. Citing America’s protracted war in Afghanistan, Falana argued, “We want to let the world know that we are not a conquered people.” He criticized foreign leaders who invoke religious protection as a pretext for intervention, challenging their sincerity and motives.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), meanwhile, signaled a more assertive stance on security. President Joe Ajaero announced during a National Executive Council meeting in Lagos that the NLC would no longer “sit and watch while bandits and kidnappers take over the country with useless demand for ransom.” The Congress also withdrew its representatives from the Labour Party, citing poor representation and a need for renewed focus on national challenges. Ajaero’s frustration echoed that of many ordinary Nigerians: “Three years after deregulation, where are we?” he asked, referencing unmet promises in the power sector and ongoing strikes in education and health.
On the military front, the message from commanders was equally uncompromising. Maj. Gen. Warrah Idris, Theatre Commander of Operation Fassan Yamma, ordered troops to “intensify aggressive operations aimed at wiping out terrorists” and reminded soldiers that their duty was to “eradicate completely, completely, I repeat, the issue of banditry.” In Taraba State, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa Chidiebere cautioned against complacency, urging newly promoted officers to embrace humility and professionalism. The military’s leadership, it seems, is keenly aware that discipline and morale will be tested in the months ahead.
Catholic Bishop Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah lent his support to Musa’s appointment, calling for “uncompromising action” to restore peace. “Everybody knows what the problem is. We just need restoration of normalcy in this country by any means possible. And I think this job is in very good hands,” Kukah said, expressing hope that “laughter and joy must come back to Nigeria within the shortest possible time.”
Yet, for all the pledges and plans, the shadow of November’s violence lingers. As Aremu’s analysis in Inside November’s Security Landscape makes clear, the coordination among Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies has improved, resulting in operational successes and a string of anti-corruption victories. The EFCC, for instance, secured over 4,000 convictions this year alone, while the ICPC cracked down on fake certificate syndicates and job racketeering. Still, these achievements are set against a backdrop of rising banditry, international controversy, and persistent public frustration.
The coming months will test whether the momentum of December’s appointments and November’s hard-won lessons can be translated into lasting change. The central question—can Nigeria’s security and anti-corruption institutions outpace the evolving threats they face?—remains unresolved. For now, officials are betting that unity, discipline, and a whole-of-society approach will tip the balance. Only time will tell if these strategies can restore the peace and normalcy that Nigerians so desperately crave.