Princess Owowoh Oluchukwu, at 24 years old, has made history by becoming the first female officer cadet from Nigeria to graduate from the UK Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
On Friday, April 12, 2024, Princess was commissioned as an officer in the British Army during the Sovereign’s Commissioning Parade.
The parade celebrated the culmination of 44 weeks of rigorous training for the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232. His Majesty King Charles was represented at the ceremony by the head of the French Army, Général d’armée Pierre Schill, Chief of the Army Staff.
Since the 1950s, numerous Nigerian officers, including former Nigerian President Yakubu Gowon and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, have joined the ranks of RMAS alumni.
Princess’s achievement as the first female and the 190th Nigerian graduate represents a significant landmark in the UK’s enduring commitment to supporting Nigeria’s Professional Military Education training.
The recent UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership talks, held in February 2024, reaffirmed the commitment to strong cooperation between the UK and Nigeria.
In 2018, Princess enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna State, Nigeria. By her second year, she was appointed as a Cadet Lance Corporal, advanced to Cadet Sergeant in her fourth year, and in her fifth year, she was designated as the Company Senior Under Officer Charlie (CSUO C).
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She, along with two other female cadets, made history as the first women to hold the position of CSUO at the academy. In her fourth year, she completed the Academic Wing of the commissioning course, earning first-class honours in Biological Sciences.
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu expressed her sentiments, stating:
“Being the first Nigerian female officer to commission from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is an immense honour.
This milestone is not solely my own but reflects the steadfast support of my family, mentors, instructors, and the many who have believed in me throughout this journey.
Looking forward, I am dedicated to serving Nigeria with honour and contributing positively to the global community.”
The UK proudly acknowledges this momentous event alongside Nigeria and extends congratulations to newly Commissioned Officer Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu for her extraordinary accomplishment.
