Army elevates first female officer trained in UK Military Academy to Lieutenant

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered the promotion of Second Lieutenant Oluchukwu Owowoh to the substantive rank of Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Defence Academy disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Wednesday.

The statement by the NDA reads, “Speaking during the decoration ceremony that took place today, June 26, 2024, at the Nigerian Defence Academy Officer’s Mess and Golf Club, the NDA Commandant, Major General JO Ochai, extolled the track record of excellence of Lt. Owowoh as a Cadet, which accorded her the rare privilege of becoming the first female Nigerian to be trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as well as her promotion to the new rank.

“The event was attended by senior military officers, academic and non-academic staff, and family members, among others.

24-year-old Lieutenant Owowoh made history when she became the first Nigerian female officer to graduate from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom.

24-year-old Oluchukwu achieved the feat as she was among the 135 officer cadets that graduated during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade in London on Friday, April 12, 2024.

The parade signalled the completion of 44 weeks of intensive training for the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232.

A statement by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, a Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in Abuja, made the disclosure on Thursday.

It had said, “Princess’ graduation as the first female and 190th Nigerian graduate marks a significant milestone in UK’s long-standing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s Professional Military Education.

“This commitment to close UK-Nigerian cooperation was affirmed during the recent UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership talks held in February 2024.”

Nigerians who have graced the UK military academy include but are not limited to former Head of State Yakubu Gowon and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye.

Oluchukwu started her journey in 2018 when she joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

She rose through the ranks, bagging the appointment of Cadet Lance Corporal during her second year.

She was appointed Cadet Sergeant in her fourth year, and in her fifth year, she was appointed to the role of Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO C).

Oluchukwu held the appointment alongside two of her female contemporaries and made history as the first female to assume the position of CSUO in the academy.

In her fourth year, she completed the Academics Wing of the commissioning course and bagged first-class honours in biological sciences.

Commenting on her achievement, Oluchukwu said, “It is a profound honour to be the first Nigerian female officer to commission from the esteemed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

“This achievement is not mine alone, but a testament to the unwavering support of my family, mentors, instructors, and countless individuals who believed in me every step of the way.

As I look ahead to the future, I am committed to representing Nigeria with pride and to making a positive difference in the world.”