Army elevates 105 senior officers in major leadership shake-up

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major shake-up within its top ranks, approving the elevation of 28 Brigadier Generals to Major General and promoting 77 Colonels to the rank of Brigadier General.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, via the Army’s official X handle.

Those stepping into the rank of Major General include Brig Gen O. Adegbe of the Defence Intelligence Agency; Brig Gen S. M. Uba, Director of Defence Information; Brig Gen R. E. Hedima, Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (Army); and Brig Gen R. T. Utsaha, Deputy Director of Defence Operations.

Other notable officers promoted are Brig Gen A. M. Umar, Commandant of the Warrant Officer Academy; Brig Gen S. Sulaiman, Deputy Military Secretary (Army); Brig Gen I. O. Bassey, Director of the Army Operations Centre; and Brig Gen C. A. Ekeator of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

Additional promotions went to Brig Gen S. Y. Yakasai, Acting Director of Procurement in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff; Brig Gen W. L. Nzidee of the Army Logistics Department; Brig Gen S. A. Emmanuel of the Signals Corps; Brig Gen S. S. Tilawan, Acting Commander of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North-East Operation HADIN KAI; Brig Gen M. O. Agi of the Nigerian Defence Academy; and Brig Gen I. M. Abbas, Commander 34 Brigade.

Brig Gen Z. A. Saidu was elevated posthumously in recognition of his outstanding service.

The large batch of Colonels promoted to Brigadier General includes officers serving in core combat formations, support units, specialist brigades, military educational institutions, and medical facilities across the country.

In a message to the newly promoted officers, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, congratulated them and their families, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating stronger professionalism and leadership.

He underscored the importance of leading by example, encouraging innovation, and upholding unwavering loyalty to the Constitution as the army continues to confront evolving national security threats.

The wide-ranging promotions are expected to reinforce the army’s command structure, improve operational capacity, and strengthen its overall response to security challenges nationwide.