Trailblazer Amanda Azubuike: First Nigerian Woman to Attain US Army Brigadier General Rank
Brigadier General Amanda I. Azubuike has achieved a historic milestone as the first Nigerian female to attain the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army. Born to a Nigerian father and a Zimbabwean mother, Azubuike immigrated to the United States in 1984. She began her military career by enlisting in the Arkansas National Guard while attending the University of Central Arkansas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Commissioned as an officer in December 1993, Azubuike graduated from flight school in 1995, becoming a UH-1 pilot. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held various leadership positions, including Deputy Commanding Officer at the U.S. Army Cadet Command, Chief of Public Affairs for the U.S. Southern Command, and Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Army.
In June 2024, Brigadier General Azubuike was appointed as the Chief of Public Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of the Army, a role she currently holds.
Her promotion to Brigadier General not only marks a personal achievement but also serves as an inspiration to many, highlighting the diverse contributions of individuals of African descent in the U.S. military.
For more insights into Brigadier General Azubuike’s journey and leadership, you can watch this interview: