“Haba! From lieutenant-colonel to brigadier-general,” confusion as Tinubu promotes his ADC Yusuf again
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shocked the military with “unprecedented” promotions of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Nurudeen Yusuf. Yusuf was promoted to rank of brigadier-general.
In a letter addressed to the Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Wahid Shaibu on 12 December 2025, the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu conveyed the president’s approval.
Yusuf was first appointed the president’s ADC on May 1, 2023, weeks before Tinubu’s inauguration. That time he was lieutenant-colonel.
Earlier this year, Nurudeen Yusuf was promoted to colonel; now to brigadier-general.
Promoting Nurudeen Yusuf to brigadier-general raises eyebrows in the military circle
Yusuf’s rapid rise in ranks has raised eyebrows in the military circle, with both his colleagues and coursemates voicing their frustration.
“Someone who was just promoted to colonel this year?” a senior military officer said, according to Premium Times reported, added that the promotions defies logic.
“There’s a reason for Yusuf’s promotions”, presidency explains
An anonymous source from the presidency has provided reasons for Yusuf’s promotions, Premium Times reported.
According to the source, the promotions are not actually unprecedented. In August, President Tinubu promoted his Chief Personal Security Officer, Usman Shugaba, from deputy commissioner to commissioner of police. Also, the president’s Chief Security Officer in the SSS, Adegboyega Fasasi, was promoted to the rank of director.
Explaining further, the source said that Yusuf’s elevation was to make his rank align with his counterparts in the sisters security agencies.
