Nigerian Army Appoints First Female Spokesperson in Historic Move

By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja 

In a landmark development for gender inclusion in the military, the Nigerian Army has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations the first woman to hold the position in the institution’s history.

Lt Col Anele, a respected officer from Direct Regular Course 15 and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR, will officially assume duties on April 22, 2025. Her appointment marks a significant step toward a more inclusive military leadership structure in a field traditionally dominated by men.

She takes over from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.

Prior to her new role, Lt Col Anele held several high-profile assignments, including serving as the Public Relations Officer to the Chief of Army Staff and working within the Department of Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters.

Her elevation is not only a personal milestone but also a broader statement about the Nigerian Army's commitment to diversity and the growing contributions of women in national defense.