By Chinelo Obogo
Leading Nigerian female aviators convened recently to share their experiences and strategies for thriving in a predominantly male-dominated sector. The event which was hosted by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) Women’s Commission, had as theme: “Accelerating Action Towards Gender Equality,” and brought together trailblazing women who have shattered glass ceilings in leadership, technical roles, and mentorship, proving that women can excel in any role.
The event held in Lagos was focused on the contributions of women in aviation, from pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers and executives. These women are not only excelling in their fields but are also paving the way for younger female aviators to follow.
Kyola Dyaji, the National Women Leader of NAAPE and an aircraft engineer, set the tone for the event with a speech. As the Outreach Chair for Women in Aviation International, Dyaji emphasised the importance of moving beyond discussions to implementing actions that foster gender equality. “The women of the Nigerian aviation industry are not merely participants; they are changing the game and proving every single day that women can fly just as high, navigate just as skillfully, and lead just as powerfully as any man,” she said.
Dyaji emphasised however that while progress has been made, challenges still remain, saying; “We must be mindful that although we have made tremendous strides through gender diversity and inclusion, the fight against gender-based violence and gender mainstreaming, there is still work to be done. There are still barriers, both visible and invisible, that hinder women’s full participation and equal representation in aviation. This is where accelerating action becomes vital.”
She called for tangible actions, including scholarships, mentorship programs, and platforms for women to succeed and urged the industry to be intentional about creating spaces where women can thrive and assume leadership positions without bias or doubt. “Equal opportunities must become the standard, not the exception,” she stressed.
The event featured a lineup of speakers, each sharing their story. Joy Ogbebo, a former cabin crew member and aviation careers advocate, shared her personal journey of breaking into the industry. She also recounted how she never met a female pilot until 2007.
“When I came into aviation, I never met a female pilot till 2007. No one would give you an opportunity because you are female; you have to be prepared for it. When I eventually left the cabin crew job, I knew that I had to start mentoring younger women, so I started a career programe where young women who want to go into aviation can be properly guided in the path to take and the skills to acquire and I created a platform where they would meet with employers. No one would give you an opportunity just because you are female. You have to be prepared for it,” she said.
Kate Nnanna-Ibemgbo, Deputy General Manager at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), air traffic safety expert, and international advocate for gender equity, shared her historic achievement of leading Nigeria’s first-ever all-female Air Traffic Control (ATC) operation. “No one thought it was going to be possible, but the women in Nigeria did it,” Nnanna-Ibemgbo said.
She emphasised the importance of self-investment, revealing that she funded some of her training to acquire the necessary skills, saying; “I paid for some trainings out of my pocket because I knew I needed the skills to excel. I encourage every woman to strive for excellence and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.”
Joy Ekeruche, the first female Engineering Manager at Bristow Helicopters Nigeria and head of Engineering at Bristow Helicopters Africa Region, detailed her journey to overseeing the airworthiness and maintenance of multiple aircraft fleets. Ekeruche, who self-funded her aviation engineering training in the UK, spoke about overcoming perceived gaps in her preparation by proactively developing her skills and knowledge. “This helped a lot and when it was time for me to be made the regional manager, there was no question about my capacity,” she explained.
Captain Imoleayo Adebule, the first female Director of Flight Operations at Aero, shared insights from her career, which includes over 8,000 flying hours on Boeing 737 and DHC-8 aircraft. As a former Chief Pilot and flight instructor who has trained more than 20 commercial pilots, she said flexibility is a key attribute for success due to what she described as the dynamic nature of aviation.
“Aviation is a very dynamic field, so is everyone in it. But one key thing is that you must be flexible because everything must not always go according to plan,” Adebule advised. Adebule expressed her passion for mentoring female pilots in leadership and technical roles.
Uchechi Edosomwan, a pioneer female engineer with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), who was instrumental in modernizing NAMA’s ICT and air traffic safety engineering systems, urged women to challenge the notion of “impossible.” “Gender inequality will remain unless you do something about it. Build your confidence by consistently improving your skills and showing competence,” she said.
The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, who made history as the first woman to hold the position was represented by the Director of Public Affairs at the event by the Director of Public Affairs, Obiageli Orah, said; “The International Women’s Day we are observing today presents an opportunity for us to resist oppression.
We should roll up our sleeves and confront every single barrier in the way of progress, in your businesses and careers. Speeches are good, but we all must deliberately decide to accelerate action to realize our full potentials as women.”