More than 50 military officers set for promotion as senior generals retire today

Over 50 military officers from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force have been identified for promotion following the deadline for senior generals to retire from service.

Daily Trust reports that those officers, holding the rank of brigadier generals and colonels, are expected to fill vacant positions within the armed forces across the country.

Telescope.ng gathered that while the Military Council Board, responsible for approving promotions, is yet to convene, the potential candidates for promotion are reportedly from Regular Course 43 of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

The current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the three service chiefs, who are members of Regular Course 38 and 39, respectively, are not affected by the retirement directive.

The decision to promote officers comes after the senior military officials were given a voluntary resignation deadline of July 3, as stipulated in a memo from the Chief of Defence Staff. This measure is aimed at upholding the principles of military hierarchy and discipline.

According to sources who spoke with the newspaper, officers from Regular Course 38 have already submitted their retirement applications, while members of Regular Course 39, except those recently redeployed by the new service chiefs, have also complied.

They added that recommendations for promotions are already being made, and the names of recommended candidates will be reviewed and ratified by the Military Council Board.

The sources said that members of Regular Course 40, 41, and 42 have attained the ranks of major generals, rear admirals, and air vice marshals, respectively, and are currently filling the vacant positions resulting from the recent reorganization within the military.

The military has identified over 50 officers for potential promotion, and discussions are underway regarding their advancement in rank.

The retirement directive has led to a reshuffling of positions, with officers from subsequent courses filling the vacancies.