Tinubu appoints Grace Morenike Henry as first female chairman of Nigerian Legion
In a historic move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ms. Grace Morenike Henry as the new Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, making her the first woman and first non-commissioned officer to lead the country’s foremost veterans’ organization.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement by the Legion’s spokesperson, Abdul Lauya. The appointment, which takes effect from June 7, 2025, was formally conveyed through a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Ms. Henry, born on October 5, 1964, retired from the Nigerian Army in 2000 after over 25 years of service. She previously served as the Director of Corporate Affairs at the Legion’s national headquarters in Abuja and is currently the National Coordinator of Female Military Veterans of Nigeria.
She succeeds Maj. Gen. AbdulMalik Jibrin (rtd) as chairman and is expected to usher in a new era of reforms in the Legion, especially amid rising calls for improved veteran welfare and institutional revitalization.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in her leadership and urged her to leverage her vast experience to reposition the Legion. Her appointment has been widely regarded as a significant step toward advancing gender inclusiveness and equality in the country’s military and veterans’ affairs.
The Nigerian Legion is a statutory body responsible for the welfare and reintegration of ex-servicemen and women, including organizing Armed Forces Remembrance Day and other patriotic initiatives. It also plays a role in national development through advocacy, security-related services, and partnerships with key stakeholders.
