The Nigerian Army Council has approved the promotion of 105 senior officers to the next ranks, marking one of the largest promotion exercises in recent years.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt-Col Appolonia Anele, the exercise elevated 28 Brigadier Generals to the rank of Major General and 77 Colonels to the rank of Brigadier General.
Among those promoted to Major General are:
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)
Brig Gen R. T. Utsaha, Deputy Director of 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
The newly promoted Brigadier Generals include officers serving in operational commands, training institutions, specialised brigades, administrative departments, and medical facilities across the country.
Context and Implications (woven into the narrative)
The promotions are part of the Army’s routine exercise to bolster leadership capacity and reward merit, but they also reflect the institution’s effort to strengthen its command structure amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. Analysts note that elevating officers in intelligence, operations, and logistics is particularly significant, given the military’s central role in combating insurgency, banditry, and other threats.
The move is expected to boost morale within the ranks, provide fresh leadership perspectives, and reinforce the Army’s operational readiness. It also signals the Army Council’s commitment to maintaining a robust leadership pipeline, ensuring that officers with proven track records are positioned to take on greater responsibilities.
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