Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia is a trailblazing Nigerian Army officer who made history in April 2025 by becoming the first female Acting Director of Army Public Relations. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the history of the Nigerian military, reflecting a growing commitment to gender inclusion and professionalism within the armed forces.
Early Career and Education
Lt. Col. Anele is a distinguished graduate of the Direct Regular Course 15, an elite military training program designed to groom competent officers in various fields of military specialization. Her foundational military education laid the groundwork for a disciplined and strategic career within the Nigerian Army.
She is also a certified member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), highlighting her dual expertise in military operations and communication strategy.
Professional Trajectory
Anele has steadily risen through the ranks due to her dedication, competence, and remarkable communication skills. Prior to her historic appointment, she served in various key positions within the Nigerian Army’s public relations and civil-military interface units.
Strategic Training and Advancement
In preparation for higher responsibilities, Lt. Col. Anele completed a six-month strategic course at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja. This elite program focuses on leadership, strategic thinking, and national security studies — a requisite for officers poised for top-level command and administrative roles.
Upon completion, she was posted to the Department of Civil-Military Relations, where she played an integral role in fostering mutual understanding between the military and civilian populations. Her efforts in this department were instrumental in enhancing the Army’s image and public trust.
Service in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff
Lt. Col. Anele also served as a Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). In that role, she managed high-level military communications, coordinated media engagement strategies, and represented the Nigerian Army in various official capacities.
Appointment as Acting Director, Army Public Relations
On April 22, 2025, the Nigerian Army officially appointed Lieutenant Colonel Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia as the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, succeeding Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who was redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Her appointment is not only historic but also symbolic of the Nigerian Army’s evolving leadership culture, where merit and capacity are beginning to overshadow gender bias in command and operational appointments.
Legacy and Significance
Lt. Col. Anele’s appointment sends a powerful message to young women across Nigeria and Africa — that with competence, resilience, and dedication, there are no limits to what women can achieve in the armed forces.
As Acting Army Spokesperson, she is now responsible for managing all official communications of the Nigerian Army, shaping the institution’s public narrative, and serving as the primary liaison between the military and the media.
Her leadership is expected to bring renewed focus to strategic communication, transparency, and civic engagement within the Nigerian Army.
Personal Traits and Public Image
Colleagues and observers describe Lt. Col. Anele as disciplined, intelligent, and proactive. Her reputation within the military is built on integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to duty.
Though she maintains a low public profile, her work ethic and achievements have earned her respect both within the military hierarchy and among civil society stakeholders.
Final Thoughts
Lt. Col. Anele Onyinyechi Appolonia stands as a beacon of progress in Nigeria’s defense establishment. As the first woman to hold the role of Acting Director, Army Public Relations, her leadership not only paves the way for other women in uniform but also sets a new benchmark for effective military communication in the country.
Her ongoing journey is one to watch — for inspiration, for transformation, and for history in the making.
