In a historic move, the Nigerian Army has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyechi Appolonia as its Acting Director of Public Relations making her the first female officer to occupy the position.
She takes over from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Future Heritage. The appointment is effective from April 22, 2025.
Anele, a member of the Direct Regular Course 15 and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), previously served as the Public Relations Officer at the Office of the Chief of Army Staff. Before her latest elevation, she was attached to the Department of Civil-Military Relations at the Defence Headquarters.
Her appointment is seen as a significant step toward greater inclusion and gender representation within the ranks of the Nigerian Army.
