Tinubu Grants Rare Double Promotion to ADC Alowonle Amid Public Backlash

ABUJA—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has approved a rare special promotion for his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, elevating him to the rank of Brigadier General effective December 12, 2025. The decision, conveyed through a letter from National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, also allows Alowonle to retain his position as ADC despite the rank jump.

The letter, which surfaced publicly on the same day it was issued, reads in part: “I wish to convey Mr. President’s approval of Special Presidential Promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf to the rank of Brigadier General and retention as ADC C-in-C with effect from 12 December 2025 for your necessary action as enclosed. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.” This move has ignited widespread debate, with critics labeling it a “double promotion” that bypasses standard Nigerian Army protocols.

Breaking Military Norms?

Alowonle, a 2004 graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) from Kaduna State, rose to full Colonel in January 2025—less than a year ago. Under typical army guidelines, officers must serve four to five years in a rank before eligibility for promotion, subject to performance evaluations, vacancies, and seniority. Tinubu’s intervention invokes presidential powers under Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the Commander-in-Chief authority over military ranks, but such “special promotions” are uncommon and often reserved for exceptional wartime service or national security imperatives.

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Historical precedents exist: Late President Umaru Yar’Adua promoted his ADC, Col. Abdullahi Mohammed, to Brigadier General in 2009, while ex-President Muhammadu Buhari elevated his own ADC, Lt. Col. Yusuf Dodo, similarly in 2018. Supporters argue these gestures boost morale and reward loyalty in high-stakes roles like the ADC, who handles the president’s personal security and logistics. Alowonle’s credentials bolster this view—he has served in UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Liberia, commanded infantry units, and joined Tinubu’s security detail since the 2023 campaign.

Yet, the timing has fueled accusations of nepotism. Social media erupted Thursday, with hashtags like #TinubuADCScandal trending on X (formerly Twitter). “From Colonel in Jan 2025 to Brig Gen in Dec? That’s not promotion; it’s a fast-track for favorites,” tweeted user @NaijaWatchdog, echoing sentiments from military veterans and analysts. Opposition voices, including spokespeople from the PDP, questioned if it undermines meritocracy in an army facing insurgency challenges in the Northeast.

Official Silence, Army Response Pending

Neither the Presidency nor the Defence Headquarters has issued a formal statement addressing the uproar. Army spokesperson Major General Ibrahim Dahiru confirmed receipt of the directive but deferred comments to ongoing implementation. Ribadu’s office described the promotion as “merit-based and within presidential prerogatives,” per sources close to the NSA.

Defence experts like retired General Lucky Irabor (former CDS) have defended similar actions in the past, noting they affect less than 1% of promotions annually. Still, in a nation grappling with economic hardships and insecurity, the optics risk eroding public trust in institutions. As Alowonle continues in his ADC role—now at a general’s rank—the episode underscores tensions between executive power and military tradition.

This development comes amid Tinubu’s broader military reforms, including recent approvals for equipment procurements and officer reshuffles. Whether it sets a precedent or fades as routine remains to be seen.