Following widespread criticism and threats from within the military, President Bola Tinubu was on Tuesday forced to reverse the controversial promotion of his aide-de-camp, Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general
The promotion of Yusuf was perceived as a violation of established military protocols.
The reversal came days after the promotion was approved on December 12 via a letter from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Chief of Army Staff Wahid Shaibu.
Sources within the presidency and military indicated that the decision was rescinded after consultations with senior officials, including an intervention by retired Major General Alani Akinrinade, a former Chief of Army Staff.
The Chief of Army Staff was reportedly summoned from a conference in Lagos to brief the president on the demoralizing impact of the promotion on soldiers.
Yusuf, who has served as Tinubu’s ADC since May 1, 2023, when he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel, was first promoted to colonel in January 2025.
The latest elevation to brigadier-general, announced less than a year later, sparked immediate outcry as it bypassed standard army requirements, including a typical four-year tenure as a colonel and mandatory attendance at the National Defence College.
Critics, including Yusuf’s coursemates, described the move as an “unprecedented fast-tracking” driven by favoritism rather than merit.
A presidency source explained the initial rationale for the promotion was to align Yusuf’s rank with those of other senior security officials in the Presidential Villa, such as the Tinubu’s Chief Personal Security Officer, Usman Shugaba, who was elevated to commissioner of police in August 2025, and Chief Security Officer Adegboyega Fasasi, recently promoted to director in the State Security Services.
“The president approved the elevation to align Mr Yusuf’s rank with those of other senior security officials attached to the Presidential Villa,” the source told Premium Times.
However, the backlash was swift and intense, with reports of “murmuring and discontent” rippling through the Nigerian Army.
A senior military source speaking to a national online publication noted, “The Commander-in-Chief was misled but thank God he did the needful…”
The source added that preparations for Yusuf’s decoration ceremony, including invitations to family members, had already been underway before the reversal.
The episode has raised broader concerns among Nigerians over Tinubu’s deliberate efforts to capture and destroy institutions that act as check to executive overreach.
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