Promotion Plan for Tinubu’s ADC Halted After Intervention by Retired Army Chiefs

Plans to promote Nurudeen Yusuf, aide-de-camp to President Bola Tinubu, to the rank of brigadier-general were shelved at the last minute following interventions by two respected former chiefs of army staff, according to information published by The Cable.

Yusuf, who was decorated as a colonel in January 2025 after his promotion in December 2024, was scheduled to receive a one-star general rank on Monday evening through a special presidential promotion. The proposed elevation departed from established military procedures, which require an officer to serve as a colonel for at least four years and attend the National Defence College before being considered for promotion.

Approval to bypass this process was reportedly communicated in a letter from the office of the national security adviser to the chief of army staff. The letter, dated December 12, 2025, and signed by the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, stated that Yusuf would retain his position as the president’s ADC despite the promotion. The move generated unease within the military, as no brigadier-general has previously served as ADC to a Nigerian president.

Ahead of the planned decoration, the minister of defence, a retired general, and the chief of army staff reportedly cut short an official visit to Lagos State and returned to Abuja amid growing concerns. TheCable learnt that sustained pressure from two former army chiefs eventually persuaded President Tinubu to halt the plan, citing potential risks to military discipline and institutional order.

A source within the presidency said the promotion would not take place “anytime soon,” confirming that the proposal had been suspended.

The development followed criticism from military analysts who warned that the move could set a damaging precedent. Yusuf has previously been accused by some within the military of exerting undue influence over promotions and service extensions because of his proximity to the president. A military source alleged that Yusuf had earlier facilitated a memo seeking the promotion of officers who were due for retirement after failing promotion examinations multiple times. Although the memo was later withdrawn after concerns were raised, the officers were reportedly allowed to remain in service.

Yusuf was appointed ADC to Tinubu in April 2023 while holding the rank of lieutenant colonel, about a month before Tinubu’s inauguration. In July 2024, he was crowned monarch of Ilemona land in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, with the understanding that he would formally assume the traditional role after retiring from the military.