In a massive uplift across the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Army Council, Navy Board and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have approved the promotion of 212 senior officers, marking one of the largest single-round elevation exercises aimed at strengthening national defence leadership. The promotions, announced on between 27 and 28 November 2025, cut across the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force, and are intended to reinforce high-command capacity, deepen operational efficiency, and bolster leadership at a time of evolving security threats
NIGERIAN ARMY: 28 Promoted to Major General, 77 to Brigadier General
The Army Council approved the elevation of 28 Brigadier Generals to Major General and 77 Colonels to Brigadier General.
Promoted to Major General
• Defence Intelligence & Operations
• Brig Gen O. Adegbe – Defence Intelligence Agency
• Brig Gen S. M. Uba – Director, Defence Information
• Brig Gen R. E. Hedima – Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (Army)
• Brig Gen R. T. Utsaha – Deputy Director, Defence Operations
• Training & Administration
• Brig Gen A. M. Umar – Commandant, Warrant Officer Academy
• Brig Gen S. Sulaiman – Deputy Military Secretary (Army)
• Brig Gen I. O. Bassey – Director, Nigerian Army Operations Centre
• Brig Gen C. A. Ekeator – Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
• Other Key Appointments
• Brig Gen S. Y. Yakasai – Acting Director, Procurement, Office of the COAS
• Brig Gen W. L. Nzidee – Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics
• Brig Gen S. A. Emmanuel – Nigerian Army Signals
• Brig Gen S. S. Tilawan – Acting Commander, Sector 3 JTF North East Operation HADIN KAI
• Brig Gen M. O. Agi – Desk Officer, TETFUND, NDA
• Brig Gen I. M. Abbas – Commander, 34 Brigade
• Brig Gen Z. A. Saidu – promoted posthumously
Promoted from Colonel to Brigadier General
(Selection of officers listed)
Y. Ibrahim – Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja
N. N. Gambo – Army HQ Department of Civil–Military Affairs
A. Saidu – HQ Nigerian Army Finance Corps
A. Ali – Army HQ Garrison
I. Waziri – Office of the Chief of Defence Staff
M. M. Sani – AFCSC Jaji
A. A. Alkali – Nigerian Army Dog Centre
A. O. Ndah – Army HQ Department of Army Training
I. B. Sheriff – HQ 9 Brigade
K. R. Apata – Army HQ Provost Group
M. K. Akpuogwu – HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke
P. U. Nnaji – Nigerian Army Operations Monitoring Support Team
M. T. Nagudu – Nigerian Army Armour School
K. O. Bukoye – Commander, 401 Special Forces Brigade
O. Adole – HQ Nigerian Army Medical Corps
J. A. Ikagba – 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital
D. C. Ibeh – 8 Division Medical Services and Hospital
G. S. Chohwore – 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital
O. G. Okoye – Nigerian Army Reference Hospital
Y. K. Audu – HQ Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI
…and others.
Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu congratulated the officers and urged them to demonstrate exemplary leadership, loyalty to the Constitution, and unwavering dedication to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
NIGERIAN NAVY: 15 Promoted to Rear Admiral, 31 to Commodore, 81 to Captain
The Navy Board approved the elevation of 127 senior officers, including 15 new Rear Admirals, 31 Commodores, and 81 Captains.
Promoted to Rear Admiral
Olumide Olajide Fadahunsi
Patrick Emuebie Meteke
Ponfa Paul Nimmyel
Sulieman Wale Olorundare
Johnson Adekunle Adewoyin
Cajethan Nnabuchi Aniaku
Anthony Victor Kujoh
Abdulrahman Mohammed
Chinonyerem Emmanuel Oji
Adamu Yahaya
Chindo Usman Yahaya
Aminu Abdullahi
Orakwue Dennis Nnatu
Usman Garba Bala
Samuel Anwuli Ogwu
Promoted to Commodore
Solomon Olushola Ohunenese
Mahmud Abubakar Fana
Taofiq Migdad Gidado
Mahmoud Hamman Hammanyero
Aliyu Gagidiba Abdullahi
Suleiman Gachi Muhammed
Abubakar Umar Sani
Mohammed Ali Kolo
Murtala Tafida Sulieman
Emmanuel Tamunosiki Fingesi
Suleiman Musa Abdullahi
Mustapha Tagoje Abdullahi
Olanrewaju Bejide Animasahun
Owens Ediale Adams Izilien
Olabode Teniola
Chris Chijioke Ali
Kabir Oladele Olanrewaju
Uzezi Egweh
Charles Eyo Iso
Elisha Bawa
Olumide Omololu Faneye
Oscar Chukwunonso Mbanu
Henry Ebute Ejeh
Galadima Mohammed Ciroma
Osuolale Ayotunde Eyitayo
Emmanuel Ajah Onu
Abubakar Ozovehe Aliyu
Ahmadu Shehu Mohammed
Ogbeche Richard Ochagu
Anastasia Nkechi Ossai
Feyisara Medinat Solebo
Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas congratulated the promoted officers and urged them to remain loyal to the nation and committed to their professional duties.
NIGERIAN AIR FORCE: 27 Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, 30 to Air Commodore
The Nigerian Air Force announced the promotion of 57 senior officers, including 27 Air Vice Marshals and 30 Air Commodores, strengthening its high-command structure.
Promoted to Air Vice Marshal
S. A. Eyoma
G. I. Jibia
A. A. Adebomehin
E. S. Odekina
C. E. Akubue
S. O. Eyekosi
A. O. Akinbuwa
L. I. Kamat
A. G. Akinyimika
A. O. Bamidele
A. K. Famuyiwa
P. J. Edem
S. A. Madaki
O. T. Salami
F. O. Ankeli
M. J. Chidama
J. J. Ijudigal
M. Umar
I. J. Ogbodo
U. Ariahu
A. L. Dakwat
C. E. Akpa
E. C. Ukpong
I. S. Subi
I. M. Yusha’u
S. S. Lazarus
F. Ekpah
Promoted to Air Commodore
M. A. Imam
A. A. Komolafe
H. I. Eze
D. U. Edet
M. B. Umar
G. H. Okoh
S. P. Sekegor
P. P. Okonkwo
P. U. Okweugo
A. U. Yahaya
M. Yahaya
I. R. Ubeh
O. K. Cole
E. A. Ifebi
R. K. Olundu
I. O. Akpasa
A. K. Mohammed
H. A. Meshack
S. N. Nwachi
Z. B. Shuwa
E. J. Alabila
S. A. Osoniyi
A. O. Ogunmola
A. J. Arumona
B. I. Jayeoba
C. E. Akuh
N. N. Onuoha-Mba
P. A. Garba
Y. M. Abdullahi
M. Suleiman
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the promotions as both recognition and responsibility, urging the officers to strengthen joint operations, uphold professionalism, and continue shaping a technologically advanced Air Force.
Strengthening Joint Command for National Security
The promotion exercises across the three services emphasize the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing defence leadership amid persistent threats ranging from terrorism and banditry to cross-border crimes and cyber-enabled security challenges.
The Armed Forces reaffirmed their commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty with renewed vigour, discipline, and strategic foresight.
