By Uriel Ihotu
The Nigerian Army has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, making her the first woman to occupy the role in the history of the institution.
Lt. Col. Anele, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), is set to officially assume duties on April 22, 2025. A graduate of Direct Regular Course 15, she brings with her a strong background in military communication and civil-military relations.
She takes over from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Before her appointment, Lt. Col. Anele served in several key positions, including as Public Relations Officer to the Chief of Army Staff and as a staff officer in the Department of Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters.
Her promotion is being hailed as a milestone for gender inclusion in the Nigerian Armed Forces. It reflects the Army’s growing efforts to embrace diversity and promote qualified female officers to leadership positions within its ranks.
The appointment signals a progressive shift in the military’s leadership structure, traditionally led by male officers, and affirms the increasing contributions of women to national security and defense.
