Nigerian Army appoints first female spokesperson

By Biola Adebayo On Apr 16, 2025

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The Nigerian Army has appointed Appolonia Anaele as the acting Director, Department of Army Public Relations.

Anaele, a Lieutenant Colonel, will formally take over from Onyema Nwachukwu, a Major-General, next Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Before this elevation, Lt. Col. Anele completed a six-month strategic course at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and was subsequently posted to the Department of Civil-Military Relations.

She has previously served as Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff. Until her new role, she was with the Department of Civil-Military Relations.

This groundbreaking appointment marks a significant milestone as Anaele becomes the first female senior military officer to serve as the spokesperson for the ground troops.

Since the establishment of the Nigerian Army over fifty years ago, no female officer has held this position within the public relations department.