Tinubu Cancels Proposed Promotion Of His ADC.

President Bola Tinubu has halted the proposed promotion of his aide-de-camp, Nurudeen Yusuf, following strong resistance from senior figures within the Nigerian Army.

The decision was reached on Monday evening after concerns were raised over plans to elevate Yusuf to the rank of brigadier-general through special presidential approval.

Yusuf was promoted to colonel only in January 2025, a development that made the proposed elevation unusual under established military promotion rules.

Army regulations stipulate that an officer must serve a minimum of four years as a colonel and attend the National Defence College before qualifying for promotion to brigadier-general.

In this instance, approval to bypass these requirements was reportedly transmitted from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Chief of Army Staff.

The correspondence, dated December 12, 2025, and signed by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, indicated that Yusuf would remain as the President’s aide-de-camp even after the planned promotion.

This arrangement reportedly unsettled senior military officers, as no serving brigadier-general has previously functioned as ADC to a sitting Nigerian president.

Ahead of the proposed decoration ceremony, the Minister of Defence, a retired general, and the Chief of Army Staff were said to have abruptly ended an official visit to Lagos State and returned to Abuja.

Before the promotion could be finalised, two highly respected former Chiefs of Army Staff reportedly met with President Tinubu and advised against the move, warning that it could weaken military discipline and disrupt established promotion structures.

A presidency source later confirmed that the promotion would not proceed in the near term.

Military observers also cautioned that granting such an exception could create internal tensions within the armed forces and undermine long-standing promotion standards.

Yusuf has previously been linked to allegations of exerting influence over military postings and promotions due to his close proximity to the President.

Reports claim he once secured presidential approval for the promotion of officers approaching retirement despite failing mandatory assessments.

Although the approval was later withdrawn, the affected officers were reportedly allowed to remain in service.

President Tinubu elevated Yusuf to the rank of colonel in January 2025 during a ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Yusuf was appointed aide-de-camp in April 2023 while still a lieutenant colonel, shortly before Tinubu’s inauguration.

In July 2024, Yusuf was installed as the monarch of Ilemona land in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State and is expected to formally assume the traditional role after retiring from military service.