The Nigerian Army has refuted claims that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has introduced automatic promotions for personnel who have served in their current ranks for five years or more.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, dismissed the claims as misleading and baseless, describing them as deliberate misinformation intended to deceive both army personnel and the public.
Nwachukwu clarified that promotions within the army follow a structured, merit-based process governed by well-defined statutory regulations.
He emphasized that promotions are not arbitrary or influenced by social media speculations.
He explained that the criteria for promotion are clearly outlined in the *Nigerian Army Administrative Policies and Procedures (Revised 2023)* and the *Armed Forces of Nigeria Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Soldiers, Ratings, and Airmen (2024)*.
According to him, key promotion requirements include:
– Serving the minimum required period in a substantive rank
– Successful completion of necessary professional courses
– Maintaining a satisfactory disciplinary and performance record
– Meeting medical and physical fitness standards
He stressed that the Nigerian Army, like other branches of the Armed Forces, adheres to uniform promotion criteria, ensuring fairness, professionalism, and operational efficiency.
Nwachukwu urged the public to disregard the false reports, reaffirming that there is no credibility to claims of automatic promotions based on years of service.
He further assured that the army chief remains committed to personnel welfare, career advancement, and professional development, in line with his *”Soldier First”* policy.
He added that Lt.-Gen. Oluyede would not compromise due process or international best practices.
