List of Nigeria’s ADCs from Colonial Governors to Modern Presidents
From the colonial era to the present democratic dispensation, PRNigeria reports that Nigeria’s Heads of State and Presidents have consistently been flanked by trusted Aides-de-Camp (ADCs)—military officers who served as close personal aides and guardians of protocol.
Beyond their ceremonial duties, ADCs have often stood at the crossroads of history and sacrifice. Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa paid the ultimate price when he was killed during the 1976 assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. Similarly, Col. Usman Kakanda Bello lost his life in the line of duty during the 1990 coup attempt against General Ibrahim Babangida, who himself had earlier been served by Lt. Colonel Sambo Dasuki as ADC.
Yet, across more than seven decades of leadership transitions, one striking tradition has endured: no ADC has ever risen beyond the rank of Colonel while serving in that role—except for Colonel Abide Aprezi, who was elevated to Brigadier General during the brief transitional tenure of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
In this special report, PRNigeria presents a comprehensive chronicle of Nigeria’s leaders and their ADCs, tracing the lineage from Sir John Stuart Macpherson in the 1950s to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today—underscoring the pivotal yet rank-bound positions these officers have held in the nation’s history.
Colonial Era
Sir John Stuart Macpherson (Governor, early 1950s)
Lt. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi
Sir James Robertson (Governor-General, 1957)
Capt. Robert Adeyinka Adebayo
Post-Independence
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1960–1966)
Lt. Orho Esio Obada (Army)
Lt. Michael Adelanwa (Navy)
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Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi (1966)
Lt. Sani Bello (Army)
Lt. Andrew Nwankwo (Air Force)
Lt Denson Okujagu (Navy)
General Yakubu Gowon (1966–1975)
Col. William Walbe
General Murtala Muhammed (1975–1976)
Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa (killed in line of duty, February 13, 1976)
General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976–1979)
Capt. Ekpo Archibong
Major Omowon
President Shehu Shagari (1979–1983)
Lt. Col. Isa Usman Garkida (Army)
Major Ali Geidam
Major General Muhammadu Buhari (1983–1985)
Lt. Col. Mustapha Haruna Jokolo
General Ibrahim Babangida (1985–1993)
Lt. Col. Sambo Dasuki (1985–1988)
Col. Usman Kakanda Bello (killed during April 22, 1990 coup attempt)
Col. Nuhu Bamalli
General Sani Abacha (1993–1998)
Lt. Col. Abdulmalik Jibrin
Major Aminu
Lt. Col. Mohammed Mustapha Abdallah
General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998–1999)
Col. Abide Aprezi (later promoted Brig Gen during the short transition period)
Democratic Era
President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007)
Col. Solomon Giwa-Amu (1999–2003)
Col. Chris Jemitola (2003–2007)
President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007–2010)
Col. Mustapha Dennis Onoyiveta
President Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015)
Col. Ojogbane Adegbe
President Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023)
Col. Mohammed Lawal Abubakar (2015–2021)
Col. Yusuf Muktar Dodo (2021–2023)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2023–Present)
Lt. Col. Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf (becomes Colonel 2024)
By PRNigeria
