In the beginning, there was order.
Then Nigerians arrived and said, “Order? We don’t do that here.”
That, in summary, is the history of the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) in Nigeria.
1. Once Upon a Time in Europe…
The ADC started as a battlefield assistant, running messages for generals, coordinating troops, and standing around looking very important while doing absolutely nothing—basically the original protocol officer before Nigerians discovered the career potential.
The British brought the idea along with tea, colonial arrogance, and the concept that uniforms should be used sparingly.
Then came independence.
And Nigeria said: “This uniform? Everybody must have one.”
2. Nigeria Adopted the ADC — and Immediately Overdid It
In theory, the ADC is supposed to be ceremonial.
Keywords: ceremonial, official, formal, occasional.
But in Nigeria, ceremonial duties quickly expanded into full-time domestic operations, including:
Holding oga’s cap like it’s a nuclear weapon Managing madam’s extra slippers Performing crowd control at weddings Guarding jollof rice bowls during parties Acting as human CCTV at airports Supervising who is allowed to breathe near the VIP
Someone even tried to get an ADC for their birthday party once.
The military politely declined.
Nigeria did not.
3. The Great Expansion: ADC for Everybody!
Originally, only Presidents, Governors and top military officers had ADCs.
But Nigeria operates by the principle:
“If an office exists, let’s multiply it like Pentecostal branches.”
Suddenly:
First Ladies got ADCs Deputy Governors got ADCs Local government chairmen wanted ADCs Billionaires hired private ADCs (also known as unemployed cousins in borrowed uniforms) Traditional rulers demanded community ADCs Even pastors developed “Protocol Squads” with suspiciously military precision
At this point, the only people who don’t have ADCs are regular citizens—and that’s only because the military ran out of personnel.
4. The Nigerian Innovation Catalogue: New Duties Not Found Anywhere in the World
a. Chief Bag and Phone Carrier
Why buy a handbag when you have an ADC?
Just hand the officer everything: phone, glasses, power bank, chewing gum, and sometimes the secrets of the nation.
b. Emotional Support Officer
“Madam is angry, sir. Should I distract her with small humour?”
c. Domestic Logistics Commander
Reporting for duty at school runs, grocery shopping, or picking up the principal’s tailor-made agbada.
d. Owambe Operations Unit
Their mission: Prevent random aunties from hugging oga too tightly during photo sessions.
e. The Uniform Accessory
Some Nigerian dignitaries treat their ADC like part of the outfit:
“Does this camouflage match my Yoruba cap?”
5. Where Things Went Hilariously Wrong
The abuse of ADCs in Nigeria boils down to three Nigerian superpowers:
Over-militarisation – because a uniform automatically adds 15 horsepower to your prestige engine. Blurring personal and government property – if the state paid for it, it must also serve the family. Showmanship – Nigerians believe your standing in society is directly proportional to the number of uniforms standing behind you while you eat small chops.
6. The Ideal ADC System (In a Fantasy Nigeria)
In a normal country, the ADC is a tidy ceremonial figure standing quietly behind the leader, appearing only on national occasions and disappearing like a disciplined ghost afterwards.
In Nigeria? The ADC is in the kitchen, the airport, the church, the club, the funeral, the naming ceremony, the gym, the hospital, and sometimes even the bedroom corridor.
We have essentially converted military officers into executive houseboys with epaulettes.
7. Final Thoughts: The Nigerian Creativity Department Never Fails
Nigeria did not just inherit the ADC system—Nigeria industrialised it.
We took a small ceremonial role and turned it into a multi-purpose prestige symbol with:
70% ceremony 20% intimidation 10% errand-running and 100% Nigerian energy.
Until reforms come, the country will keep producing two breeds of ADC:
The official ceremonial ADC – seen only on Independence Day. The all-purpose, handbag-holding, crowd-pushing ADC – available at every event with jollof ric
Centre for Nigeria Progress 