Meet Lt. Col. Onyinyechi Anele, Nigeria’s Army first female spokesperson

History was made at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja when Lieutenant Colonel Onyinyechi Appolonia Anele officially stepped into her role as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR).

This landmark appointment makes her the first female officer to hold this prestigious and strategic position, a groundbreaking achievement in the military’s communication arm.

But beyond the uniform and titles lies a story of grit, excellence, and unshakable commitment to service.

From military barracks to the media frontline

Born into a military family, Lt. Col. Anele’s journey began in Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

Her childhood, shaped by discipline and dedication, set the stage for her future in the armed forces.

She attended Army Children’s School and later Command Day Secondary School in Jos, Plateau State, where her foundation in leadership and public service was nurtured.

She went on to study Mass Communication at the University of Jos, earning both a Diploma and a Bachelor’s degree, an academic path that would later blend perfectly with her career in military public relations.

Military career

Commissioned into the Nigerian Army on December 8, 2007, through Direct Regular Course 15, Anele has consistently carved a path of distinction.

Her military journey includes rigorous training at home and abroad, with courses like the Young Officers Course, Advanced Public Relations Officers Course, and the Strategic Communications Course at the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI).

Internationally, she has left her mark at elite institutions, including the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana, Royal Air Force Halton in the United Kingdom, and SwedInt in Sweden.

She also holds two master’s degrees, one in Gender, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan Centre, and another in Leadership and Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Achievements

Lt. Col. Anele has worn many hats across strategic roles in the Nigerian Army. She served as the Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, and as the Public Information Officer for the Nigerian Battalion under the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

Most recently, she was Staff Officer Grade One (Human Rights) at the Defence Headquarters’ Department of Civil-Military Cooperation.

Her steady rise through the ranks, culminating in her promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 2021, has been driven by a passion for transparent, strategic communication and a commitment to bridging the gap between the military and the public.

Appointment

Lt. Col. Anele’s appointment is more than a personal achievement,it’s a milestone in the Nigerian Army’s journey toward greater gender inclusivity and representation.

In a system long dominated by men, her emergence as the Army’s spokesperson is a powerful reminder that leadership knows no gender.

With a rich blend of field experience, academic brilliance, and a forward-thinking vision, Lt. Col. Onyinyechi Anele isn’t just making history, she’s shaping the future of military public relations in Nigeria.