Tinubu Dumps ADC Promotion Following Pressure From Ex-Army Chiefs

The contentious plan to promote Nurudeen Yusuf, aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Bola Tinubu, to the rank of one‑star general was abruptly halted on Monday evening following the intervention of two former Chiefs of Army Staff.

Yusuf, who was promoted to colonel in January 2025, was slated for elevation to brigadier‑general via a special presidential promotion. Under standard military regulations, an officer must serve at least four years as a colonel and attend the National Defence College before being eligible for brigadier‑general.

Despite this, a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Chief of Army Staff reportedly approved the bypassing of these requirements. The leaked letter, dated December 12, 2025, and signed by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, confirmed that Yusuf would remain the President’s ADC despite the proposed promotion.

No aide‑de‑camp to a sitting Nigerian President has ever held the rank of brigadier‑general, a factor that reportedly caused unease within the military hierarchy.

Ahead of the planned decoration ceremony, Defence Minister Chris Musa, a retired general, and Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu reportedly cut short their Lagos visit and returned to Abuja. Ultimately, two respected former army chiefs convinced President Tinubu to shelve the promotion, citing potential risks to military discipline and precedent. A presidential source confirmed that the promotion would not occur “anytime soon.”

Military experts had warned that elevating Yusuf could set a “bad precedent” within the armed forces. Yusuf has also been accused of exerting undue influence over the promotion and retention of officers due to his proximity to the President.

A military source told TheCable, “He got the president to sign a memo promoting officers who were due for retirement after failing three times as per regulations. When the implications were explained, the president withdrew the memo but allowed the officers to remain in service, citing the emergency he had declared. They are still serving.”

Yusuf was promoted to colonel by President Tinubu in January 2025 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He had been appointed Tinubu’s ADC in April 2023 as a lieutenant colonel, just one month before Tinubu’s inauguration.

In July 2024, Yusuf was crowned the monarch of Ilemona land in Oyun Local Government Area, Kwara State, a role he is expected to formally assume upon retiring from military service.