Aviation stakeholders are turning up the volume on calls for stronger welfare and inclusive policies to bolster the role of women within the industry.
During a recent high-profile gathering in Lagos, industry leaders emphasized that the future of Nigerian flight operations depends not just on technology, but on the sustained mentorship and physical wellbeing of the female professionals driving the sector forward.
Former Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, issued a timely reminder that the high-stakes, 24-hour nature of aviation places unique pressures on women balancing professional excellence with family life.
He warned that ignoring the need for work-life balance is not just a personnel issue, it is a safety risk.
By addressing burnout and fatigue through flexible work structures, Mazi Udoh argues that the industry can ensure that the women in air traffic control and safety regulation remain sharp, efficient, and empowered to lead.
Echoing this sentiment, Regional Manager, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Lagos, Erelu Olubukola Teriba highlighted the transformative power of professional networks like Women in Aviation International.
According to her, far more than a social club, the organization has evolved into a strategic movement focused on leadership training and economic empowerment.
Mrs. Teriba noted that the Lagos region remains a critical hub for these efforts, actively building the collaborative bridges necessary for women to ascend to the highest echelons of aviation management.
National President, Women in Aviation International, Dr. Rejoice Ndudinachi, celebrated the Lagos chapter as the bedrock of the association’s nationwide expansion, which now spans seventeen branches.
She credited the chapter’s relentless advocacy for breaking down historic barriers and opening technical and operational pathways that were once closed to women.
For Dr. Ndudinachi, the current growth in female representation is a direct result of institutional support and the pioneering spirit of those who refused to be grounded by glass ceilings.
Stakeholders urged the next generation of girls to enter the field with confidence, backed by a promise that the industry is evolving to support their health and their ambitions.
With continued capacity building and a commitment to welfare, they say, the aviation sector aims to set a new global standard for gender inclusion and operational reliability.
Written by Nosa Aituamen