In a milestone that continues to inspire generations of women in uniform, Major Josephine Ancha etched her name in Nigeria’s military history as the country’s first female paratrooper.
Her historic achievement dates back to 1987, when she was serving in the Nigerian Army as a private with the service number 79NA/22666. Despite the odds and gender-based limitations common at the time, Ancha successfully completed the rigorous airborne training required to earn the coveted paratrooper wings, becoming the first woman in the Nigerian Army to do so.
Her groundbreaking feat not only demonstrated the resilience and capability of women in combat support roles but also shattered longstanding barriers in one of the military's most physically demanding specializations. It paved the way for broader female participation in specialized army training and operational deployments that were traditionally reserved for men.
Now holding the rank of Major, Josephine Ancha’s pioneering legacy continues to serve as a beacon for women in the armed forces, particularly those aspiring to venture into specialized fields like airborne operations, special forces, and combat roles.
Her story stands as a proud chapter in Nigeria’s military history, underscoring the Nigerian Army’s gradual but steady evolution toward inclusivity and gender equality.
