Nigerian Army promotes first female officer trained in UK military academy to Lieutenant

Following her graduation from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, Second Lieutenant Oluchukwu Owowoh made history as the first Nigerian female officer to graduate from the UK military academy, the British High Commission said in April.

The 24-year-old has now been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army by Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff. The decoration ceremony took place on June 26 at the Nigerian Defence Academy Officer’s Mess and Golf Club, where the NDA (Nigerian Defense Academy) Commandant, Major General JO Ochai, extolled the track record of excellence of Owowoh as a cadet, PUNCH Online reported.

Senior military leaders, academic and non-academic professionals, and family members were among the attendees at the event.

Major General Ochai highlighted the significance of Owowoh’s accomplishment in encouraging young women in Nigeria to seek jobs in the military, as reported by Duchess International Magazine.

He expressed, “Lt. Owowoh’s success is a testament to the potential that lies within our young women. Her journey demonstrates that with determination, excellence, and support, there are no limits to what can be achieved.”

Owowoh was recently one of the 135 Officer Cadets to graduate during the United Kingdom’s Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst’s Sovereign’s Parade in London, where she made history.

“The parade marked the completion of 44 weeks of intensive training for the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232. At the ceremony, His Majesty, King Charles, was represented by the head of the French Army, Général d’armée Pierre SchilI, Chief of the Army Staff,” a statement by the British High Commission partly read.

Since the 1950s, several Nigerian officers have graduated from the academy, including former Nigerian head of state, Yakubu Gowon and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, the statement added.

Owowoh said she was honored to be the first female Nigerian from the academy. “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.”

Owowoh joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna State, Nigeria six years ago. She was appointed a Cadet Lance Corporal in her second year at the NDA. During her fourth year, she became a Cadet Sergeant and in her fifth year, she was appointed to the role of Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO C). Together with two other female officers, she made history as the first female to assume the position of CSUO in the academy.