The Presidency has announced the historic appointment of Ms Grace Morenike Henry as the new Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion. This appointment, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marks a significant milestone as Ms Henry becomes the first female and first non-commissioned officer to assume the leadership of Nigeria’s foremost veterans’ organization.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Legion, Abdul Lauya, made this known in a statement made available to Channels Television on Thursday.
He said that the appointment, conveyed through a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, takes effect from June 7, 2025.
According to the statement, Ms Grace Morenike Henry, born on October 5, 1964, brings over 25 years of distinguished service experience, having retired from the Nigerian Army in the year 2000.
Until her appointment, she was the Director of Corporate Affairs at the Legion Headquarters, Abuja. She also currently serves as the National Coordinator Female Military Veterans of Nigeria.
Ms Henry succeeds Maj. Gen. AbdulMalik Jibrin (rtd), and her appointment is widely seen as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to gender equality and inclusiveness within the veterans’ community.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in her leadership and urged her to deploy her wealth of experience to reposition the Nigerian Legion, an organization that has long served as the voice and support system for the nation’s ex-servicemen and women.
Lauya added that her emergence signals a renewed era of reform and revitalization for the Legion, as she assumes the mantle of leadership in a time of growing calls for veteran welfare and institutional reinvigoration.
The Nigerian Legion is a statutory organization established by law to cater to the welfare and interests of ex-servicemen and their dependents, particularly those who served in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Its core mandates include providing support for the rehabilitation, reintegration, and economic empowerment of military veterans; promoting patriotism and national unity through remembrance activities such as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day; and collaborating with government agencies, security institutions, and civil society to uphold the dignity and contributions of retired service personnel.
The Legion also engages in security-related services, advocacy, and public enlightenment to enhance the visibility and relevance of veterans in national development.