Oluchukwu becomes first Nigerian female officer cadet to graduate from UK military academy

Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu, on Friday, became the first-ever Nigerian female officer to graduate from the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).

According to a statement by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, a Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in Abuja on Friday, 24-year-old Oluchukwu was one of the 135 Officer Cadets to graduate during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade today in London.

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

Since the 1950s, several Nigerian officers including former Nigerian President Yakubu Gowan and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye have become RMAS alumni.

“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 training.

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

In 2018, Princess joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

During her second year at the NDA, she was appointed a Cadet Lance Corporal; a 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).

She held this appointment with two other female counterparts 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 achieved first-class honours in Biological Sciences.

Speaking of her achievement, she 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.”