BREAKING: Nigerian Army Elevates 105 Senior Officers — 28 New Major Generals, 77 Brigadiers As Defence Leadership Gets Major Boost

In a sweeping move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s military command structure, the Nigerian Army Council has approved the promotion of 105 senior officers to the prestigious ranks of Major General and Brigadier General.

Announced in a statement on Friday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, the promotion list—described as one of the most significant in recent years—reflects the Army’s renewed commitment to professional excellence and enhanced national defence capability.

According to Anele, the Army Council, after an exhaustive review, approved the promotions on Thursday, 27 November 2025. The move, he said, underscores the Council’s resolve to position the Nigerian Army for “more strategic, agile, and intelligence-driven operations in response to emerging security threats.”

28 BRIGADIER GENERALS NOW MAJOR GENERALS

Among those elevated to the elite two-star rank are:

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

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

Also rising to Major General are:
Brig Gen S.Y. Yakasai, Acting Director of Procurement in the Office of the COAS;
Brig Gen W.L. Nzidee of the Army Logistics Department;
Brig Gen S.A. Emmanuel of the Nigerian Army Signals;
Brig Gen S.S. Tilawan, Acting Commander, Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI;
Brig Gen M.O. Agi, Desk Officer for TETFUND at the NDA;
Brig Gen I.M. Abbas, Commander, 34 Brigade.

The late Brig Gen Z.A. Saidu was also honoured with a posthumous promotion, a gesture that underscores the Army’s recognition of sacrifice and service.

77 COLONELS RISE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL

A robust cohort of 77 Colonels also made the new promotion roll. Among them:

Col. Y. Ibrahim – Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja

Col. N.N. Gambo – Army Headquarters, Civil-Military Affairs

Col. A. Saidu – HQ Nigerian Army Finance Corps

Col. A. Ali – Army Headquarters Garrison

Col. I. Waziri – Office of the Chief of Defence Staff

Col. M.M. Sani – Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji

Col. A.A. Alkali – Nigerian Army Dog Centre

Col. A.O. Ndah – Department of Army Training

Col. I.B. Sheriff – Headquarters 9 Brigade

Col. K.R. Apata – Army Headquarters Provost Group

Col. M.K. Akpuogwu – Operation Whirl Stroke

Col. P.U. Nnaji – Army Operations Monitoring Support Team

Also on the list are:
Col. M.T. Nagudu of the Armour School;
Col. K.O. Bukoye, Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade;
Col. O. Adole – Nigerian Army Medical Corps;
Col. J.A. Ikagba – 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital;
Col. D.C. Ibeh – 8 Division Medical Services;
Col. G.S. Chohwore – 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital;
Col. O.G. Okoye – Nigerian Army Reference Hospital;
and Col. Y.K. Audu – Headquarters Operation HADIN KAI, among many others.

COAS TO NEW GENERALS: “THIS PROMOTION IS A CALL TO GREATER SERVICE”

Congratulating the newly decorated officers, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, urged them to demonstrate unshakable professionalism, exemplary leadership, and renewed commitment to safeguarding Nigeria.

He charged them to inspire their subordinates “through personal conduct and strategic foresight,” while embracing bold, innovative, and unconventional ideas capable of delivering swift, decisive responses to the nation’s evolving security landscape.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu reminded the officers that the oath they swore to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity must remain “absolute, unwavering and beyond reproach.”

This latest wave of promotions signals a major boost for Nigeria’s defence apparatus, reinforcing the Army’s preparedness as the country continues to confront complex security challenges nationwide.