In a world where military leadership is often dominated by men, a 57-year-old black military officer of Nigerian descent, Amanda Azubuike was decorated as the first Nigerian woman to become a Brigadier General in the US Army.
Her story continues to be an inspiration to women, especially at a time when black women are gradually finding their voice in the military.
Here’s everything you need to know about Amanda Azubuike the first Nigerian female to become a Brigadier General in the US Army:
Amanda Azubuike: Family & Background
Amanda Azubuike was born in London, United Kingdom, to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent and a Zimbabwean mother. Her father left Nigeria at a young age to study law in the UK, where he met her mother, a young nursing student. Her military journey began when her mother relocated to the U.S. with two children, Amanda, and her sister after her marriage fell apart. She became a US citizen in April 1989.
Academic Excellence
With the aim to join the US Air Force, Azubuike joined the Air Force Junior ROTC, an organization that provides citizenship training and an aerospace science program for high school students at age 17 during her days at Jacksonville High School.
She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in Communications in December 1993 and joined the Army in 1994 as an aviator after graduating from the Army Aviation Officer Basic Course. A year later, Azubuike graduated from flight school as a UH-1 pilot and began her military career at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia as a platoon leader with the 924th Aviation Support Battalion.
She joined the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) in South Korea as an Operations Officer and RC-12 pilot after completing the Military Intelligence Captain’s Career Course and Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Qualification Course.
Amanda bagged her Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.
Military Career & Accomplishments
Amanda Azubuike’s career spans over 30 years, during which she transitioned into strategic and leadership roles, working in intelligence, public affairs, and senior advisory positions.
She served as Deputy Commanding Officer at the US Army Cadet Command, Chief of Public Affairs for the US Southern Command, Senior Military Advisor at the Pentagon, and the first Nigerian female to become a Brigadier General in the US Army.