President Bola Tinubu has cancelled a planned promotion of his aide-de-camp, Nurudeen Yusuf, after intervention from two former Chiefs of Army Staff.
The decision was taken on Monday evening when concerns were raised within the military over a move to elevate Yusuf to the rank of brigadier-general through a special presidential approval.
Yusuf was only promoted to the rank of colonel in January 2025, making the proposed advancement unusual under existing army rules.
Military guidelines require an officer to spend a minimum of four years as a colonel and also attend the National Defence College before being considered for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general.
In this case, approval to bypass those requirements was reportedly sent from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Chief of Army Staff.
The letter, dated December 12, 2025, was signed by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and indicated that Yusuf would continue to serve as the President’s aide-de-camp even after the proposed promotion.
This plan reportedly caused discomfort within senior military ranks, as no serving brigadier-general has ever functioned as ADC to a sitting Nigerian president.
Ahead of the planned decoration ceremony, the Minister of Defence, a retired general, and the Chief of Army Staff were said to have ended their visit to Lagos State early and returned to Abuja.
Before the promotion could take place, two respected former army chiefs reportedly met with President Tinubu and advised against the move, warning of possible damage to military order and discipline.
A source within the presidency later confirmed that the promotion would not go ahead in the near future.
Military observers had also raised concerns that such an action could create problems within the armed forces and affect established promotion standards.
Yusuf has in the past been linked to allegations of exerting strong influence on military postings and promotions due to his closeness to the President.
Reports claim he once secured presidential approval for the promotion of officers who were due for retirement after failing mandatory assessments.
Although the approval was later withdrawn, the officers were reportedly allowed to remain in service.
President Tinubu promoted Yusuf to the rank of colonel in January 2025 during a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Yusuf was appointed ADC in April 2023 when he was still a lieutenant colonel, shortly before Tinubu’s inauguration.
In July 2024, Yusuf was crowned the monarch of Ilemona land in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He is expected to fully assume the traditional position after his retirement from military service.
