President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the special promotion of his aide-de-camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general.
The approval was conveyed through a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the Chief of Army Staff. The letter, which has since been leaked, was dated December 12, 2025, and signed by the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.
In the memo, Ribadu stated that Yusuf would retain his position as the president’s ADC despite his promotion.
“I wish to convey Mr President’s approval of Special Presidential Promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf to the rank of Brigadier General and retention as ADC C-in-C with effect from 12 December 2025 for your necessary action as enclosed. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards,” the letter read.
TheCable reports that the development has generated tension within the Nigerian Army, with several officers reportedly expressing displeasure over what they describe as “favouritism.”
Sources said the special presidential promotion is being viewed as a violation of established military promotion procedures.
Under Nigerian Army regulations, an officer must meet specific requirements before being promoted from colonel to brigadier general. These include completing a war college or senior staff course, as well as a strategic course at the National Defence College or its equivalent. In addition, a colonel is typically required to spend between four and five years in the rank before becoming eligible for promotion.
Yusuf’s latest promotion has drawn further attention because of the speed of his rise in rank.
In January 2025, President Tinubu decorated him with the rank of colonel following his promotion in December 2024. The decoration ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Earlier, in April 2023, Yusuf—then a lieutenant colonel—was appointed as Tinubu’s ADC, barely one month before Tinubu’s inauguration as president.
In July 2024, Yusuf was crowned the monarch of Ilemona land in the Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State. However, he is expected to fully assume his traditional responsibilities only after retiring from active military service.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency has not responded to enquiries from TheCable regarding the growing controversy surrounding Yusuf’s promotion to brigadier-general.
