Plans to promote the aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general have been shelved following last-minute intervention by two retired Chiefs of Army Staff.
Sources disclosed that the proposed promotion, reportedly scheduled for Monday evening, was to be carried out under a “special presidential promotion” arrangement but was halted after senior retired military officers raised concerns over the process.
Colonel Yusuf, who was decorated as a colonel in January 2025, was said to be lined up for elevation to the one-star rank barely a year after his last promotion. Under established military procedures, an officer is required to serve a minimum of four years as a colonel and attend the National Defence College (NDC) before being considered for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general.
It was gathered that approval to bypass the conventional process had been communicated to the Chief of Army Staff through a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
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The development reportedly generated unease within military circles, prompting the intervention of the retired army chiefs, which eventually led to the suspension of the planned promotion.
Colonel Yusuf was crowned the monarch of Ilemona land in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State in July 2024. He is, however, expected to formally assume full traditional responsibilities upon his retirement from active military service.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Presidency or the Nigerian Army on the matter.
(The Cable)