Our HIstory
Read through our Journey
As you journey through our story, you will discover how NAOWA has evolved from a small community of devoted women into a powerful force of change, transforming lives across Nigeria through education, healthcare, empowerment, and unwavering humanitarian service.
Our Story
From Tradition to Transformation
It all began in the 1950s, when a group of compassionate women—the wives of Nigerian Army officers—came together to support each other and serve the communities around them. Initially known as the Army Wives Association (AWA), the organization took its first steps into charitable service in 1962, when it began donating to orphanages under the leadership of Mrs. Welby Everald.
By 1963, as Nigeria gained its Republican status, the association was rebranded as the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), with Mrs. Victoria Aguyi-Ironsi as its first indigenous president. Since then, NAOWA has grown exponentially, with each leadership era leaving an indelible mark on the organization’s history.
Today, under the visionary leadership of Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, the 24th NAOWA President, we continue to expand our reach, driven by our shared commitment to unity, service, and the preservation of an enduring legacy.
We believe that service is not just a duty
—it is a calling. Through our initiatives in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, we strive to uplift not just the barracks community but the entire Nigerian society.