President Bola Tinubu has rescinded the special promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier General following widespread concerns and outcry within the Nigerian Army. The reversal addresses discontent among officers who highlighted violations of standard promotion procedures, including required time in rank and completion of professional military courses.
Senior military sources revealed the decision followed high-level consultations between the presidency and army leadership to safeguard morale and institutional integrity.
The promotion stemmed from a December 12, 2025, letter signed by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, conveying President Tinubu’s approval for Colonel Yusuf—decorated as colonel just in January 2025—to Brigadier General while retaining his ADC role, marking an unprecedented second elevation in under a year.
A senior military source told SaharaReporters: “The decision to promote Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Brigadier General was rescinded yesterday (Monday). The Commander-in-Chief was misled but thank God he did the needful. The armed forces are celebrating Tinubu right now.”
Therefore, officers protested the bypass of norms requiring at least four years as colonel, attendance at National Defence College or equivalent, and merit-based annual promotions, viewing it as favoritism that demoralized personnel who met criteria. The source noted: “The Aide-de-Camp (ADC) had already arranged for his decoration yesterday and his family members were even prepared for the event. Messages were even sent notifying everybody for the investiture to Brigadier General (Brig Gen). Tinubu had to listen to the voice of General Alani Akinrinade (retired), former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) who also intervened.”
Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, summoned from a Lagos conference to Abuja, briefed President Tinubu on the morale impact and rank structure risks, with the reversal occurring Monday after interventions by retired generals including Alani Akinrinade.
The source detailed: “The COAS, who was in Lagos for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) conference, was summoned to Abuja by Mr President yesterday. He had an audience with the Commander-in-Chief on the heavily demoralised soldiers over the unwarranted promotion of the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Brigadier General (Brig Gen) and other issues.”
Another account attributed the initial push to misadvice from Nuhu Ribadu: “Mr President realized he was misadvised by Nuhu Ribadu and quickly disapproved of it.”
The presidency affirmed the Commander-in-Chief acted appropriately, with the source adding the reversal followed consultations at the highest military and presidential levels regarding morale and procedures.
The episode prompted review of President Tinubu’s security team composition, targeting anomalies in ranks for key roles.
Sources criticized Chief Detail (CD) Adegboyega Fasasi, a DSS Director of Intelligence Services (DIS)—deemed mismatched—with the new DSS DG attempting withdrawal, overruled by connections: “Fasasi, the Chief Detail (CD) to the President, is a Department of State Services (DSS) officer and a Director of Intelligence Services (DIS) in rank, which is very wrong. The new Director-General (DG) of DSS withdrew him to correct the anomaly, but Mr Fasasi used his connections to refuse the transfer.”
Chief Personal Security Officer (CSPSO) Usman Shugaba, elevated to Commissioner of Police (CP) beyond norms, faced similar rebuke: “The Chief Personal Security Officer (CSPSO) to the President is supposed to be an officer on the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at most… The current occupier, Mr Usman Shugaba, is also a notorious lobbyist, who shot himself up to the position of Commissioner of Police (CP). His mates are still on Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).”
“Meanwhile, Mr President needs to remove the Chief Detail (CD), Mr Adegboyega Fasasi and Mr Usman Shugaba, the Chief Personal Security Officer (CSPSO), they have outranked these positions.”
Colonel Yusuf, appointed ADC in April 2023 as a lieutenant colonel ahead of Tinubu’s inauguration, ascended to colonel in January 2025 before this aborted jump, also holding the traditional title of monarch in Ilemona, Kwara State, to assume post-retirement.
Earlier SaharaReporters coverage on December 14 noted growing army dissatisfaction over the special promotion’s precedent-setting risks. No official army statement has emerged, but the reversal drew praise across forces for upholding hierarchy.
