Army Officers Grumble Over Tinubu ADC’s Rapid Rise to Brigadier General
President Bola Tinubu has approved the elevation of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier General a decision that has sparked discontent among some Nigerian Army officers.
The promotion, described as special and effective from 12 December 2025, was communicated via a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to the Chief of Army Staff. Reports from Premium Times and SaharaReporters on 14 December highlighted that this follows Yusuf’s earlier promotion from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel in December 2024.
Appointed ADC in May 2023, Yusuf has seen rapid career advancement during his tenure. Anonymous sources within the Army voiced frustration, arguing that the promotion bypassed standard requirements, including attendance at senior courses like the Army War College or National Defence College, and the minimum time-in-rank outlined under the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service.
One officer told Premium Times that Yusuf, from the 52 Regular Course, now outranks peers from earlier courses who have completed the requisite professional training. Concerns have also been raised about the unusual nature of a Brigadier General continuing in the ADC role, which has historically been held by Colonels or lower-ranked officers.
However, some argue the promotion ensures parity within the presidential security team. Premium Times noted that the move aligns Yusuf’s rank with equivalents in the Nigeria Police Force and State Security Service, reflecting recent elevations in those agencies and maintaining cohesion within the team.
As of 14 December 2025, neither the Presidency nor the Nigerian Army has issued an official statement addressing the reports or the concerns raised.
The development comes against the backdrop of standard promotions in the Army, where 77 Colonels were elevated to Brigadier General in November 2025 through the regular process Yusuf was not part of that cohort.
While such special promotions are within the President’s prerogative, they underscore tensions between merit-based progression and proximity to power in military hierarchies.