Nigeria bids farewell to Major-General Aderonke Kale (Rtd), the nation’s first female Major-General, who passed away at the age of 84 in London, United Kingdom. Her demise was attributed to an undisclosed ailment.
President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) officially confirmed Kale’s passing in a statement, lamenting the loss as “irreparable.”
Born on February 13, 1939, in Nigeria, Aderonke Kale carved her name in history as a distinguished Nigerian army psychiatrist, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the first female Major-General in the Nigerian Army.
A trailblazer in her field, Kale took command of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, showcasing her dedication to the advancement of military healthcare. Her journey began with a medical degree from the University of Ibadan, later specializing in psychiatry at the University of London under the inspiration of Thomas Adeoye Lambo, Africa’s pioneer professor of psychiatry.
Returning to Nigeria in 1971, Kale made a groundbreaking decision by joining the Nigerian Army in 1972, a rare choice for women, especially at such a high professional echelon. Progressing through the ranks, she achieved the rank of Major-General in 1994, becoming not only the first female general in West Africa but also the first Nigerian woman to reach this esteemed position.
JUST IN: Nigeria’s First Chartered accountant, Akintola Williams, Dies at 104
Initially serving as the chief psychiatrist, Kale’s influence expanded, eventually leading the entire Nigerian Medical Corps and becoming its Chief Medical Officer until 1996. Her tenure marked a historic moment in the Nigerian Army as she took charge of healthcare responsibilities for soldiers at all levels during wartime—a pioneering role for a woman in the military.
Major-General Aderonke Kale retired in 1997, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, leadership, and breaking gender barriers.
