Reports circulating on Sunday claim that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the elevation of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general, a development that has reportedly stirred unease within the Nigerian Army.
Sources say a letter dated December 12, 2025, and addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Wahid Shaibu, conveyed the President’s approval. The document, allegedly signed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, reportedly directed that Colonel Yusuf be promoted and retained as ADC to the Commander-in-Chief.
The letter, which has been widely shared online, stated that the President approved a “special presidential promotion” for Colonel Yusuf, effective December 12, 2025, while allowing him to continue in his current role.
However, the authenticity of the document could not be independently verified as of press time. A senior official contacted declined to comment, referring inquiries to the NSA’s office.
Security sources note that if confirmed, the promotion would be considered a special presidential intervention that departs from established Nigerian Armed Forces promotion procedures, which normally require officers to meet specific benchmarks such as years of service, completion of mandatory courses, and professional training.
The alleged move has reportedly generated concern within the Army, with some officers questioning its fairness and potential implications for morale, discipline, and cohesion among both junior and senior personnel.
As at the time of filing this report, neither the Ministry of Defence nor the Nigerian Army had released an official statement on the matter, leaving room for speculation within military and political circles.
The controversy comes amid heightened public scrutiny of the President’s decisions and appointments within the security sector, making the reported promotion of his ADC a particularly sensitive issue.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed the NSA to fast-track the training and equipping of additional forest guards as part of intensified efforts to combat kidnapping and terrorism nationwide.
The directive, issued last Wednesday, builds on earlier approvals for the creation of a national forest security service aimed at securing forest reserves that have increasingly become hideouts for bandits and other criminal groups.
Speaking on the security situation, the President said Nigeria must deploy all available resources to address kidnapping and terrorism, stressing the need to protect citizens.
According to the Presidency, the initiative is intended to boost security presence in remote and forested areas and complement broader measures already announced to tackle persistent insecurity, including emergency actions and increased recruitment across security agencies.
