Nigeria’s defence leadership has evolved significantly since independence, with each Defence Minister playing a unique role in shaping the country’s military structure, national security policies, and civil–military relations.
Whether you’re researching for school, writing a report, or simply want to know the names of Ministers of Defence in Nigeria from 1960 till date, this detailed list gives you a complete breakdown of every Defence Minister, their tenure, who they served under, and their major contributions.
Below is the complete list of Ministers of Defence in Nigeria from 1960 to the present day.
List Of Ministers Of Defence In Nigeria From 1960 Till Date
| No | Name | Term In Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammadu Ribadu | 1960–1965 | Northern People’s Congress (NPC) |
| 2 | Inuwa Wada | 1965–1966 | NPC |
| 3 | Yakubu Gowon | 1966–1975 | Military Government |
| 4 | Illiya Bisalla | 1975–1976 | Military Government |
| 5 | Olusegun Obasanjo | 1976–1979 | Military Government |
| 6 | Iya Abubakar | 1979–1981 | National Party of Nigeria (NPN) |
| 7 | Akanbi Oniyangi | 1981–1983 | NPN |
| 8 | Domkat Bali | 1984–1990 | Military Government |
| 9 | Sani Abacha | August 1990–June 1998 | Military Government |
| 10 | Abdulsalami Abubakar | June 1998–May 1999 | Military Government |
| 11 | Theophilus Danjuma | 1999–2003 | People’s Democratic Party (PDP) |
| 12 | Rabiu Kwankwaso | 2003–2007 | PDP |
| 13 | Yayale Ahmed | 2007–2008 | PDP |
| 14 | Shettima Mustapha | 2008–2009 | PDP |
| 15 | Godwin Abbe | 2009–2010 | PDP |
| 16 | Adetokunbo Kayode | 2010–2011 | PDP |
| 17 | Haliru Mohammed Bello | July 2011–June 2012 | PDP |
| 18 | Olusola Obada | July 2012–September 2013 | PDP |
| 19 | Labaran Maku (Supervising) | September 2013–March 2014 | PDP |
| 20 | Aliyu Mohammed Gusau | March 2014–May 2015 | PDP |
| 21 | Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali | November 2015–May 2019 | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| 22 | Bashir Salihi Magashi | August 21, 2019–May 29, 2023 | APC |
| 23 | Mohammed Badaru Abubakar | August 21, 2023–present | APC |
| 24 | Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) | December 3, 2025 |
Names of Ministers of Defence in Nigeria (1960–Date)
1. Muhammadu Ribadu (1960–1965)
Administration: Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Ribadu was the first Minister of Defence in independent Nigeria. He expanded the military, modernised equipment, strengthened the Navy, and laid the foundation for the Air Force. He also championed “Nigerianisation,” replacing colonial officers with Nigerians, and created the Defence Industries Corporation and the Nigerian Defence Academy.
READ MORE: List of Chief of Defence Staff in Nigeria (1980 Till Date)
2. Inuwa Wada (1965–1966)
Administration: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Wada served during a politically unstable period leading up to the 1966 coup. His tenure focused on continuity over major reforms due to the national crisis brewing at the time.
3. Yakubu Gowon (1966–1975)
Administration: Himself (Head of State)
Gowon managed the Defence Ministry during the civil war (1967–1970), restructuring the military and overseeing post-war security reforms.
4. Illiya Bisalla (1975–1976)
Administration: Murtala Mohammed
A short transitional tenure focused on maintaining stability after the 1975 coup.
5. Olusegun Obasanjo (1976–1979)
Administration: Himself as Head of State
Obasanjo rebuilt the military after the civil war and coordinated the return to democratic rule in 1979.
6. Iya Abubakar (1979–1981)
Administration: President Shehu Shagari
The first civilian Defence Minister of the Second Republic, tasked with restoring civilian–military relations.
7. Akanbi Oniyangi (1981–1983)
Administration: Shehu Shagari
His tenure was marked by routine administration during peacetime.
8. Domkat Bali (1984–1990)
Administration: Military Regimes after the 1983 coup
Bali was one of the longest-serving Defence Ministers, overseeing internal military administration during Nigeria’s prolonged period of military rule.
9. Sani Abacha (1990–1998)
Administration: Military Rule
Abacha held the portfolio before and during his authoritarian regime, controlling Nigeria’s defence and internal security apparatus.
10. Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998–1999)
Administration: Himself (Transitional Government)
This tenure was focused on stabilizing Nigeria and transitioning to democratic rule in 1999.
11. Theophilus Danjuma (1999–2003)
Administration: President Olusegun Obasanjo
Danjuma helped restore civilian oversight over the military and restructured the defence framework in the early Fourth Republic.
12. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (2003–2007)
Administration: Olusegun Obasanjo
Oversaw defence efforts during the rise of Niger Delta militancy, requiring strong political strategy.
13. Yayale Ahmed (2007–2008)
Administration: President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
Known for strengthening administrative structures and supporting early dialogue in the Niger Delta crisis.
14. Shettima Mustapha (2008–2009)
Administration: Yar’Adua / Jonathan transition
Oversaw negotiations leading to the historic Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.
15. Godwin Abbe (2009–2010)
Administration: President Goodluck Jonathan
Successfully implemented the Amnesty Programme that brought relative peace to the Niger Delta.
16. Adetokunbo Kayode (2010–2011)
Administration: Goodluck Jonathan
Served at the early stage of Boko Haram’s rise, a time of shifting security complexities.
17. Haliru Mohammed Bello (2011–2012)
Administration: Goodluck Jonathan
Oversaw the ministry during intensifying insecurity, though with limited reported reforms.
18. Olusola Obada (2012–2013)
Administration: Goodluck Jonathan
One of the few women to hold the position, led during heightened insecurity and military restructuring efforts.
19. Labaran Maku (Supervising) — (2013–2014)
Administration: Goodluck Jonathan
Served in an acting capacity to maintain operational continuity.
20. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (2014–2015)
Administration: Goodluck Jonathan
A security veteran who influenced early strategic responses to Boko Haram.
21. Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali (2015–2019)
Administration: Muhammadu Buhari
Led during widespread insecurity involving insurgency, banditry, and inter-communal violence.
22. Bashir Salihi Magashi (2019–2023)
Administration: Muhammadu Buhari
Faced an unprecedented range of threats across Nigeria’s security landscape.
23. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (2023–2025)
Administration: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
A civilian minister leading defence reforms amid nationwide insecurity, focusing on civil-military coordination and operational restructuring.
24. Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) (2025-present)
Administration: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Who Was the First Minister of Defence in Nigeria After Independence?
Muhammadu Ribadu was the first Minister of Defence in Nigeria (1960–1965).
His achievements included:
- Expanding the Army, Navy, and Air Force
- Replacing colonial officers with Nigerians
- Establishing the Defence Industries Corporation (Kaduna)
- Setting up the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)
- Strengthening the foundation of modern defence institutions
Ribadu’s leadership was so strong that many Nigerians believe the 1966 coup might not have succeeded if he were alive.
Who Is the Current Minister of Defence in Nigeria?
The current Minister of Defence in Nigeria is Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, appointed on August 21, 2023, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He is a former governor of Jigawa State, a businessman, and an experienced public administrator.
Who Served Nigeria Best as Defence Minister? (Opinion)
While this is subjective, many analysts consider:
- Muhammadu Ribadu — for building the foundation of Nigeria’s modern military
- Theophilus Danjuma — for stabilising the armed forces in early democracy
- Godwin Abbe — for successfully executing the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme
These three are often credited with long-lasting reforms that strengthened national stability.
Summary: Full List of Ministers of Defence in Nigeria
From 1960 until today, Nigeria has had a mix of military officers, seasoned politicians, civil administrators, and reform-minded leaders as Defence Ministers. Their tenures have shaped the structure, discipline, and operational strategy of Nigeria’s Armed Forces in different eras — from independence and the civil war to insurgency, banditry, and modern security challenges.
This comprehensive list of Defence Ministers helps preserve Nigeria’s political and military history, offering insight into how leadership in defence has evolved over time.
