Safety, Determination, and Inclusion: Women Paving the Way in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector

In celebrating International Women’s Day, female aviation professionals in Nigeria are urging more women to join their ranks and continue shattering records across the industry.

According to them, women are breaking down barriers and making their mark, navigating the skies and contributing to air safety, a field traditionally dominated by men.

From air traffic controllers guiding planes on the ground to engineers maintaining aircraft, pilots flying the planes and safety inspectors ensuring compliance, women are present at every stage of the aviation journey. 

They are responsible for safety, security comfort, and are trained to handle emergencies, act as first responders in case of accidents.

For decades, trailblazers like Captain Chinyere Kalu, the first Nigerian female pilot, have paved the way. Today, women are thriving in various aviation roles, including commercial pilots, cabin crew, marshallers, and security personnel amongst others.

Their dedication to safety, ability to handle difficult situations, and commitment makes them vital to a smooth and secure air transportation system.

Captain Atinuke Stanley-Pepple and Mrs. Olubunmi Balogun an air traffic controller share their experiences in contributing to air safety.

“They are ensuring that safety is key regardless of their gender, provide expeditious flow of traffic”.

An engineer Dr. Felicia Agubata and Ronke Babalola cabin crew member discuss how they successfully navigate demanding careers while balancing their personal lives.

“We cannot afford to be successful in one and a failure in other, multitasking is part of our culture as women. Women are blessed with great foresight, God in His infinite mercies has packaged the women to be able to balance so many things all at once”.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Inspire Inclusion”. Miss Chinaza Miracle, Queen of the Air, and Miss Joy Ogbebo, cabin crew trainer, offer words of encouragement to aspiring female aviators, urging them to pursue their dreams with determination.

“We are Women, we can be anything we set our mind to be. Encouraging them to explore career in aviation, equipping them with the right information”.

As the aviation industry evolves, these women are committed to ensuring their voices and perspectives are heard and valued, inspiring future generations to take flight and reach new heights.