The Army Council has approved the promotion of 105 senior officers of the Nigerian Army to the next higher ranks, marking a major step in strengthening leadership capacity across critical defence institutions. The decision, taken on Thursday, 27 November 2025, elevated 28 Brigadier Generals to the prestigious rank of Major General, while 77 Colonels were promoted to Brigadier General.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Nigerian Army described the promotions as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce its operational efficiency and enhance strategic command structures nationwide.
Among those promoted to Major General are Brigadier General O. Adegbe of the Defence Intelligence Agency; Brigadier General S. M. Uba, Director of Defence Information; Brigadier General R. E. Hedima, Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (Army); and Brigadier General R. T. Utsaha, Deputy Director of Defence Operations. Others include Brigadier General A. M. Umar, Commandant of the Warrant Officer Academy; Brigadier General S. Sulaiman, Deputy Military Secretary (Army); Brigadier General I. O. Bassey, Director of the Nigerian Army Operations Centre; and Brigadier General C. A. Ekeator of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
Also elevated were Brigadier General S. Y. Yakasai, Acting Director of Procurement at the Office of the Chief of Army Staff; Brigadier General W. L. Nzidee of the Army Headquarters Department of Logistics; Brigadier General S. A. Emmanuel of the Nigerian Army Signals; and Brigadier General S. S. Tilawan, Acting Commander of Sector 3 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI. Others include Brigadier General M. O. Agi of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Brigadier General I. M. Abbas, Commander 34 Brigade, while Brigadier General Z. A. Saidu was promoted posthumously.
The newly promoted Brigadier Generals include Colonels Y. Ibrahim of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre; N. N. Gambo of Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs; A. Saidu of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps; A. Ali of the Army Headquarters Garrison; I. Waziri of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff; and M. M. Sani of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Others are Colonels A. A. Alkali of the Nigerian Army Dog Centre; A. O. Ndah of the Department of Army Training; I. B. Sheriff of Headquarters 9 Brigade; K. R. Apata of the Army Provost Group; M. K. Akpuogwu of Operation Whirl Stroke; and P. U. Nnaji of the Operations Monitoring Support Team.
Additional beneficiaries include Colonels M. T. Nagudu of the Armour School; K. O. Bukoye, Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade; O. Adole of the Medical Corps; J. A. Ikagba of 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital; D. C. Ibeh of 8 Division Medical Services; G. S. Chohwore and O. G. Okoye of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital; and Y. K. Audu of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, among several others.
Congratulating the officers, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, charged them to deepen their professional commitment and justify the confidence reposed in them. He urged the newly promoted generals to exemplify strong leadership, inspire their subordinates through character and competence, and embrace bold, innovative strategies capable of addressing Nigeria’s complex and evolving security landscape.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further reminded the officers of their sacred duty to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity, stressing that their loyalty to the Constitution must remain absolute and beyond compromise.
The Nigerian Army described the promotions as a reaffirmation of its commitment to rewarding excellence, dedication and distinguished service in safeguarding the nation.
