Abuja, Nigeria — In a historic milestone for the Nigerian Armed Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Onyinyechi Appolonia Anele has officially assumed office as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), becoming the first female officer to lead the military’s communication arm since the establishment of the Nigerian Army.
She succeeds Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who formally handed over duties during a brief ceremony at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
In her inaugural remarks, Lt. Col. Anele expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for entrusting her with what she described as a “strategic role.”
“I assure you and the entire leadership of the Nigerian Army that I will justify this confidence by remaining absolutely loyal, committed, focused and results-driven,” she said.
Addressing defence correspondents, she acknowledged the media’s role as a critical stakeholder in military transparency and national security discourse. She urged continued professionalism and called for a collaborative spirit guided by truth, fairness, and national interest.
Lt. Col. Anele also paid tribute to her predecessor, praising Major General Nwachukwu for his “passion, resilience, and professionalism,” which she credited with reshaping the Directorate’s strategic outlook and credibility.
A Trailblazer with Global Credentials
A native of Ehime-Mbano in Imo State, Lt. Col. Anele’s journey to military leadership is rooted in a career defined by excellence, both on the battlefield of communication and in academic halls.
Born into a military family, she received her early education in Plateau State before earning a diploma and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Jos. She was commissioned into the Nigerian Army on December 8, 2007, through Direct Regular Course 15.
Her résumé includes specialized training in both military and civilian institutions. Domestically, she completed 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 trained at world-class institutions including the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana, Royal Air Force Halton in the UK, and the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre (SwedInt). 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.
Her experience spans a wide array of roles: from serving as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, to acting as Public Information Officer for the Nigerian Battalion under the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Most recently, she served as Staff Officer Grade One (Human Rights) at the Defence Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Cooperation.
Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2021, Anele now brings her deep expertise in strategic communication, military public affairs, and peacekeeping operations to a role that places her at the nexus of national defence and public accountability.
Her appointment marks a significant step forward in the Nigerian Army’s commitment to gender inclusion and professionalism in its public engagement strategies.
