President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially rescinded the promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier General. The reversal follows a wave of discontent within the Nigerian Army over what many described as a breach of established military protocols.
The decision according to State House sources, reportedly made after high-level consultations between the Presidency and military top brass, aims to preserve the integrity of the armed forces’ hierarchical structure.
The controversy began after news of Colonel Yusuf’s “special promotion” went public, triggering immediate pushback from senior and mid-level officers. According to military sources, the move was seen as an affront to officers who have spent years in their current ranks and successfully completed the rigorous courses required for elevation.
“The move created significant tension within the ranks,” a senior military source stated. “Many viewed it as a bypass of the standards that ensure discipline and fairness within the Nigerian Army.”
The backlash has also cast a spotlight on other appointments within the President’s security detail. Sources pointed to the role of the Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO), currently held by Mr. Usman Shugaba.
There are allegations that the position—and Shugaba’s rapid rise to the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP)—represents a trend of “unnecessary” positions and aggressive lobbying. Reports suggest that while Shugaba has attained the rank of CP, many of his peers remain at the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
In reversing the promotion, President Tinubu reportedly acknowledged being “misled” regarding the procedural implications. The Presidency’s intervention is being framed as an effort to restore morale and ensure that military promotions remain meritocratic and tied to established timelines.
While the ADC will retain his current rank of Colonel, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the influence of political proximity on military and police career trajectories.
A key highlights reversal is that ADC Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf remains a Colonel.
