In a sweeping leadership overhaul approved November 28, 2025, the Army Council has elevated 105 senior officers in what analysts describe as a decisive recalibration of Nigeria’s defence-intelligence command structure. A total of 28 Brigadier Generals were promoted to Major General, while 77 Colonels advanced to Brigadier General.
At the forefront of this reshuffle is Brig-Gen Adegbe — a seasoned intelligence operative and former ADC to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan — whose elevation at the DIA signals renewed emphasis on intelligence-driven strategy amid Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
Key Promotions: Intelligence, Operations, Logistics
Among those elevated to Major General are:
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Brig-Gen O. Adegbe, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)
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Brig-Gen SM Uba, Director, Defence Information, Defence Headquarters
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Brig-Gen RE Hedima, Acting Chief of Military Intelligence (Army)
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Brig-Gen RT Utsaha, Deputy Director, Defence Operations
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Brig-Gen AM Umar, Commandant, Warrant Officer Academy
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Brig-Gen S Sulaiman, Deputy Military Secretary (Army)
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Brig-Gen IO Bassey, Director, Nigerian Army Operations Centre
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Brig-Gen CA Ekeator, Nigerian Army School of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
Significant promotions also went to officers in logistics, procurement, signals, counter-insurgency and special-operations support — including: Brig-Gen SY Yakasai (Procurement), Brig-Gen WL Nzidee (Army Logistics), Brig-Gen SA Emmanuel (Army Signals), Brig-Gen SS Tilawan (Operation HADIN KAI), Brig-Gen MO Agi (Training at Defence Academy), and Brig-Gen IM Abbas (Commander, 34 Brigade). The Council also conferred a posthumous promotion on Brig-Gen ZA Saidu.
Broad-Based Elevation of Colonels to Brigadier General
The promotion wave also touched 77 Colonels across diverse commands — from resource management and civil-military affairs to medical, logistics, operations, training institutions, special forces, and Joint Task Forces including Operations WHIRL STROKE and HADIN KAI. Notable among them are Colonel Y. Ibrahim (Army Resource Centre), NN Gambo (Civil-Military Affairs), A. Saidu (Finance Corps), A. Ali (Army Headquarters Garrison), I. Waziri (Defence HQ), and several others in key operational, support, training, and intelligence units.
Expectations from the Newly Elevated Leaders
The newly promoted officers, including Brig-Gen Adegbe, have been tasked by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty, innovation, and decisive action as they assume their new responsibilities in a challenging security environment.
Many analysts view this shake-up not just as a routine promotion exercise — but as a strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s defence–intelligence leadership, critical for confronting the complex threats facing the nation today.
