In a landmark development that signals a progressive shift in Nigeria’s military leadership, the Nigerian Army has named Lieutenant Colonel Onyinyechi Theresa Anele as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, making her the first female officer to hold the prestigious position.
The appointment, announced on April 17, 2025, and scheduled to take effect from April 22, marks a historic first in the Nigerian Army’s over 60-year history. Anele will succeed Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Lt. Col. Anele, a member of Direct Regular Course 15, is not new to military communications. She is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and has a commendable track record in public relations and civil-military communications. Her career trajectory showcases a blend of military discipline, strategic communication, and an understanding of public interface—a skill set essential for leading the image-making department of the Nigerian Army.
Prior to her appointment, Anele completed a six-month strategic leadership course at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, a professional development institution focused on enhancing leadership competencies in military and civilian personnel. Following the course, she was assigned to the Department of Civil-Military Relations, where she was responsible for fostering mutual understanding between the Army and the civilian population.
She also served as the Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, a role that gave her firsthand insight into high-level military decision-making and strategic communication.
Throughout her career, Anele has earned commendation for professionalism, intelligence, and leadership. Her appointment is seen as a move towards increased gender inclusion in Nigeria’s armed forces, a sector historically dominated by male officers.
Reactions have poured in from across the country, with many celebrating her appointment as a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality within the Nigerian military hierarchy.
Women’s rights groups, advocacy organizations, and public relations professionals have lauded the development. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, where Anele is a fellow, released a congratulatory statement, calling her elevation “a recognition of excellence and a clear message that competence knows no gender.”
Defense analysts have also noted that her role as spokesperson is more than ceremonial—it involves strategic narrative building, crisis communication, media engagement, and protecting the Army’s public image in the digital age.
Anele’s promotion adds to the growing list of Nigerian women breaking through traditional gender roles in security and governance. In recent years, the military has shown increased willingness to appoint qualified female officers to leadership positions, including as commanders of battalions and heads of critical departments.
Despite challenges, female officers in Nigeria continue to make strides, advocating not only for equal opportunities but also for the right to lead in complex operational environments.
With the rise of digital warfare and increased scrutiny of military operations, the role of the Army’s public relations office has never been more crucial. As the face of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Anele is expected to handle media relations, policy communication, and public perception—especially amid ongoing national security challenges such as insurgency, banditry, and civil unrest.
Military insiders suggest that Anele’s style of communication is likely to be inclusive, transparent, and responsive—an approach that could help rebuild public trust in the military.
Lt. Col. Onyinyechi Anele’s appointment not only breaks a long-standing glass ceiling but also symbolizes the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professionalism, modernization, and inclusive leadership. Her tenure will be watched closely as a litmus test for further female representation in the country’s defense architecture.
As she takes up her new role on April 22, 2025, there is growing optimism that her leadership will set a precedent for aspiring women officers and redefine the tone and direction of the Army’s engagement with Nigerians and the global community.