Lieutenant Colonel (Mrs) Onyechi Appolonia Anele FSS anipr, the newly appointed Acting Director of the Directorate of Army Public Relations (Ag DAPR), is a highly skilled public relations, crisis, and strategic communication expert known for her discipline, professionalism, and dedication. With exceptional leadership and strategic insight, she has significantly contributed to military public communication throughout her distinguished career.
Born to the late Warrant Officer Cyraicus Anele and Mrs. Appolonia Anele, she hails from Ehime-Mbano LGA, Imo State. She attended Army Children’s School, Rukuba Barracks, and Command Day Secondary School, Jos, before earning a Diploma and Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Jos. After completing her NYSC, she was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Directorate of Public Relations in 2007.
Her extensive training includes military and civil courses such as the Young Officers Course (2010), Media Operations Officers Course (2013), Advanced Public Relations Officers Course (2016), and Strategic Communications Course (2025) at NASPRI. She also trained at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Ghana (2011–2013), and attended courses in the UK, Mali, and Sweden. Additionally, she holds master’s degrees in Gender, Peace, and Security (Ghana, 2013) and Leadership and Strategic Studies (NDA, 2024).
Lt. Col. Anele has held key command, staff, and instructional roles, including Military Public Information Officer in UNAMID, Sudan (2008), Staff Officer at HQ 2 Division (2008–2012), Instructor at NASPRI (2013–2016), and Gender Officer at Army HQ (2016–2018). She served as PRO to the Chief of Army Staff (2018–2021), PRO at Defence Space Administration (2021–2022), and Acting Executive Director at NAWHLG (2023). Before her current role, she was Staff Officer Grade One (Human Rights) at Defence HQ.
A respected speaker, she has delivered lectures on gender inclusion, peacekeeping, and career planning at various military institutions. She is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a recipient of the Forces Service Star Award. Her hobbies include reading, walking, and music. She is happily married and continues to exemplify excellence in service.
