President Bola Tinubu's promotion of his personal Aide-De-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier-General has triggered significant internal concern within the Nigerian Army, with senior officers describing the move as an unusual breach of military tradition.
The promotion, approved in a letter signed by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on December 12, 2025, marks Yusuf's second elevation in less than a year. He was decorated as a Colonel in January 2025 after being appointed ADC in May 2023.
"Rupture with Tradition" Sparking Quiet Resentment
Military sources speaking to journalists expressed deep unease, framing the promotion as a departure from established institutional norms. One officer directly questioned the precedent, stating that while junior officers can be promoted for exceptional performance, "elevating an officer to Brigadier-General by executive approval sets a troubling precedent."
The core of the controversy lies in the perceived bypassing of stringent professional requirements. According to military tradition, promotion from Colonel to Brigadier-General typically demands:
* Completion of a senior staff course.
* Attendance at the National Defence College or Army War College.
* A standard minimum service period of four to five years in the rank of Colonel.
One anonymous source, described as a senior officer, offered a stark assessment: "This tradition is not ornamental. It is the backbone of discipline... To now elevate an officer who has not met those same benchmarks sends a devastating signal." The source warned that the decision represents "not merely a deviation from precedent, but a rupture with tradition" that could erode institutional morale.
Procedural Anomalies and Historical Comparisons
Officers also pointed to procedural irregularities. They noted that the promotion request was routed directly from the NSA to the Chief of Army Staff, bypassing the Chief of Defence Staff and the Minister of Defence—a process described as "abnormal."
The promotion was contrasted with practices under past administrations. Sources cited the tenures of Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo, where presidential ADCs were promoted in line with their course mates and after completing required statutory training courses.
The Tinubu administration has not publicly commented on the internal military criticisms. The promotion highlights tensions between executive authority and long-standing military protocols, raising questions about the impact on discipline and the perceived fairness of the promotion system within the armed forces.
*Source: Politics Nigeria*
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