National Issues
Princess Owowoh graduates from the UK’s Royal Military Academy as the first female Nigerian officer cadet
Princess enrolled in Kaduna State, Nigeria’s Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 2018. She joined the NDA as a Cadet Lance Corporal in her second year, became a Cadet Sergeant in her fourth year, and was assigned to the position of Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO) in her fifth year.
The first-ever Nigerian female officer to graduate from the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) is Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu. Princess, 24, graduated together with 135 other Officer Cadets during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade in London today.
For the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232, the march signified the end of 44 weeks of rigorous training. Général d’armée Pierre SchilI, Chief of the Army Staff, led the French Army and represented His Majesty King Charles during the ceremony.
Several Nigerian officers have graduated from RMAS since the 1950s, including Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, and former Nigerian President Yakubu Gowan. Princess’ graduation is a critical turning point in the UK’s long-standing commitment to assisting Nigeria’s Professional Military Education programme. She is the first female graduate and the 190th Nigerian graduate. This dedication to close collaboration between the UK and Nigeria was reaffirmed in February 2024 during the recent UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership discussions.
Princess enrolled in Kaduna State, Nigeria’s Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 2018. She joined the NDA as a Cadet Lance Corporal in her second year, became a Cadet Sergeant in her fourth year, and was assigned to the position of Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO) in her fifth year.
She created history by being the first woman to hold the CSUO post in the academy, sharing it with two other female colleagues. She finished the commissioning course’s Academics Wing in her fourth year, earning first-class honours in the biological sciences.
Speaking of her achievement, Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess 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.”
The UK is proud to celebrate this historic occasion with Nigeria and congratulates newly Commissioned Officer Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu on her remarkable achievement.
