A new report has spotlighted the enduring tradition of the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) in Nigeria, tracing the lineage of these military guardians from the colonial era to the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The ADC is a pivotal figure serving at the intersection of national history, personal loyalty, and ceremonial protocol.
According to PR Nigeria, beyond their visible presence behind Nigeria’s leaders, several ADCs have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa was killed during the 1976 assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. Col. Usman Kakanda Bello lost his life during the 1990 coup attempt against General Ibrahim Babangida.
Some ADCs later became prominent national figures in their own right, such as Lt. Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who served under General Babangida.
Across more than seven decades, almost no ADC has risen beyond the rank of Colonel while actively serving in the role.
The sole exception is Colonel Abide Aprezi, who was elevated to Brigadier General during the brief transitional administration of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
List of ADCs below:
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)
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)
Captain William Walbe, (Later left as Lt Colonel)
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)
Major Mustapha Haruna Jokolo
General Ibrahim Babangida (1985–1993)
Major Sambo Dasuki (1985–1988)
Lt 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)