By Adesakin Adefemi
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian Army, President Bola Tinubu has approved the promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Nurudeen Yusuf, to the prestigious rank of brigadier-general.
The promotion, which was conveyed in a letter dated December 12, 2025, by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, has sparked widespread discontent and murmurs of favoritism within military circles.
According to sources, Yusuf’s promotion is his second in a mere 12-month period, having been decorated as a colonel in January this year. This rapid rise through the ranks has left many officers, including some of his coursemates, scratching their heads and questioning the criteria used for the promotion.
“This defies all logic and is a clear case of favoritism,” an aggrieved senior officer told PREMIUM TIMES. “Someone who was just promoted to colonel this year? It’s unprecedented and unfair to other deserving officers who have served with distinction.”
The Presidency and the Nigerian Army have maintained a stolid silence on the matter, refusing to publicly explain the rationale behind the accelerated promotion. However, a source close to the Presidency revealed that the promotion was necessary to maintain esprit de corps within the Villa’s security team.
The source cited similar promotions for the President’s Chief Personal Security Officer, Usman Shugaba, who was promoted from deputy commissioner of police to commissioner of police in August, and the President’s Chief Security Officer, Adegboyega Fasasi, who was elevated to the rank of director by the State Security Services (SSS). These ranks are considered equivalent to that of a brigadier-general in the Nigerian Army.
Yusuf was appointed ADC to Tinubu on May 1, 2023, when he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His rapid promotion has sparked concerns about fairness, meritocracy, and the integrity of the Nigerian Army’s promotion system.
The development has also raised questions about the influence of proximity to power on career advancement in the military. Many are wondering if Yusuf’s close relationship with the President played a significant role in his swift rise through the ranks.
The Nigerian Army has a history of strict adherence to protocol and merit-based promotions, making this latest development a worrying sign for many officers who feel that the system is being undermined.
As the controversy continues to brew, many are left wondering what the future holds for the Nigerian Army and its promotion system. One thing is certain, however: the brigadier-general promotion of Nurudeen Yusuf has opened a Pandora’s box, and the repercussions are likely to be felt for a long time to come.
