In October 1990, Lieutenant-General Sani Abacha was decorated with the rank of full General (4-star) by the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, and Vice President Admiral Augustus Aikhomu. This moment marked a significant milestone in Nigerian military history: Abacha became the first active-duty officer in the Nigerian Armed Forces to rise through all ranks—without skipping any—to become a full General.
His Career Progression:
1963 – Second Lieutenant
1966 – Lieutenant
1967 – Captain
1969 – Major
1972 – Lieutenant-Colonel
1975 – Colonel
1980 – Brigadier-General
1983 – Major-General
1987 – Lieutenant-General
1990 – General
Unlike many of his predecessors:
General Gowon skipped Colonel & Brigadier-General
General Murtala skipped Major-General & Lieutenant-General
General Obasanjo skipped Major-General
General Babangida skipped Lieutenant-General
General Domkat Bali followed every rank but was promoted to full General after retiring
