Nosa Aituamen
Captain Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide, a trailblazing pilot with Air Peace, has made history as the first female captain in Africa on the Embraer E195 E-2 aircraft.
In an exclusive interview with our Aviation Correspondent Nosa Aituamen at the recent Fireside Chat with African Aviators conference organized by the African Aviation Group in strategic partnership with AviaDev Africa and sponsored by Embraer, she shared her journey, challenges, and insights on balancing work and family life, as well as her thoughts on the Nigerian aviation industry.
Balancing Work and Family Life
As a pilot with over a decade of experience, Captain Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide has had to navigate the challenges of balancing her demanding job with her family life. She credits her supportive husband, who is also in the industry, for being a vital part of her success.
“Having a supportive spouse is crucial. He understands the dynamics of the industry, and that’s been a huge help.”
Captain Rotimi-Olajide also spoke about the challenges of taking maternity leave as a female pilot.
“As a female pilot, once you notice you’re pregnant, you have to stay off flying until the 13th week. Then, if you feel comfortable, you can get back to flying until the 26th week. I wasn’t feeling well, so I was off flying for almost a year, cumulatively almost two years.”
Breaking Down Barriers
Despite the challenges, the Embraer 195 E-2 captain, has achieved great success, becoming the first female captain in Africa.
She believes that women should not be discouraged from pursuing careers in the aviation industry.
She advised, “Leave the fear factor, pursue your dreams. Fine, it might be challenging right now. You mustn’t start from being a pilot; there are other places you can start, like cabin crew or flight dispatcher.”
Nigerian Aviation Industry
She expressed optimism about the growth of the Nigerian aviation industry, citing the expansion of airlines and the need for more pilots.
“We’re expanding, and we need younger people to fill up those positions,” she said.
“The reason why there’s a shortage of pilots around the world is because Nigeria is expanding, and airlines are coming up right now.”
Maintenance Challenges
Captain Rotimi-Olajide also spoke about the challenges of maintaining aircraft outside of the country. “It affects the schedules generally because we have passengers complaining,” she explained.
“If we have maintenance organizations here in Nigeria, it’s going to be quite expensive running them here.” She believes that with time, things will get better, but for now, airlines have to adapt to the challenges.
Message to Younger Generations
Captain Rotimi-Olajide’s message to younger generations, especially women, is clear: “Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams. Acquire knowledge, acquire skills, and you’ll grow in any field, including the aviation industry.”
She encourages young women to consider careers in the industry, whether as pilots, cabin crew, or flight dispatchers.
Captain Ibironke Rotimi-Olajide’s inspiring story is a confirmation to the power of perseverance and determination.
As a trailblazing pilot, she is paving the way for future generations of women in the aviation industry.