ASA Reporters

In the over 150 years of the Nigerian Army, only few people have so far been privileged to rise to the exclusive rank of Lieutenant General and General. General Yakubu Gowon is the first four start general in Nigerian army and after him, the Nigerian army has produced a total of ten other four-star generals throughout its history.  However, the first-ever pair of Nigerian Army officers to be directly promoted to and serve on the rank of lieutenant general were the duo of Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma. This happened in January 1976 and after that twenty seven officers have attained the rank. Five of these lieutenant generals have thereafter been promoted to the rank of four-star general. Of the total of twenty-nine officers who have attained the rank of lieutenant general since 1976, five officers (Bali, Abacha, Ogomudia, Agwai and Azazi) have risen to the rank of four-star general , without skipping any rank. It is noteworthy that only Sani Abacha ever rose to become militar