Female Aviation Stakeholders In Nigeria Share How A Girl Joined Industry, Became Leader
Secondary school female students from four different schools in Lagos were treated to inspiring life stories shared by female leaders in Nigeria’s aviation sector as part of events to mark the Girls In Aviation Day 2025 organized by Women In Aviation International, Glowing Wings Chapter, at NCAA Annex, Lagos on September 17, 2025.
Theme of the event was Breaking Limits-Journeying Into Aviation. The students got to hear how Capt. Fumilola Idowu, who was the first child of her late poor parents resolved not to fail, struggled through school, paid her own school fees from second year in the university, broke into the aviation sector and got a cabin crew job after writing cabin crew exams 13 times before employment.
She eventually went for pilot training course, graduated with the best score, secured licenses and after years of practice, grew to the status of a Captain. She said even her parents had given up on her dream but she promised them that she would not fail them. Her peers and school mates were engaged in corporate prostitution known as “runs’ in local parlance, and mocked her that she refused to do what they were doing but she was not deterred and was resolute.
The girls also heard the story of how the only female Air Traffic Controller from Ebonyi State, Mrs. Kate Nnanna-Ibemgbo, who during her ATC training at Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, got married, got pregnant and had to undergo tedious requirements of the course, carrying a pregnancy, and eventually came out as the best graduating student despite being despised by her male colleagues.
There was experience of Mrs. Victoria Jumoke Adegbe, a university graduate who her husband bought an aviation training form for, after three children. She resolved to break all limits. Out of many applicants for the admission, she was the only female among those admitted for Flight Dispatchers’ Course. She had to commence reading for the exams few days before it, in the midst of nursing children. She eventually graduated with best grades. She was not satisfied with that. She pursued Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) licensing as a dispatcher, secured it. She was not satisfied with that. She pursued NCAA Instructors’ license, secured it. She was not satisfied with that. She travelled to United States of America, pursued and secured both American FAA Dispatchers’ license and Instructor’s license. She returned to Nigeria and established Aviatrix Hub, an NCAA certified Training school where she is currently Chief Executive Officer.
One of the students enquired if her mum who had pursed education because of the responsibility of nursing children still had a chance of career pursuit in aviation, Mrs. Adegbe told her to provide her mum’s contact, promising to give her half scholarship for a career course in aviation.
The students were treated to a visit to the Airspace Manager of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at Murtala Muhammed Airport from where they were made to have a feel of how working in an airport environment looks like.
In her welcome address earlier, President of the Glowing Wings Chapter of WIA, Mrs. Evelyn Njoku said when she started her journey in aviation, there were challenges, doubts, barriers but “I learnt that with resilience, mentorship and right support system, a girl can not only enter the aviation industry but also lead and shape it. She charged the girls to rise, work hard, seek mentors and lift others.
The Director General of NCAA who was represented by Lagos Regional Manager, Barrister Mrs. Bukola Teriba, whose speech was read said empowering women is about unlocking the full potentials of the industry.
“This is not just an investment in the industry. It is an investment in the future of aviation,” he said.
He urged the girls to continue to aspire higher and embrace hardwork to attract leadership and encouraged them to stand with their vision as they prepare to improve the future of aviation and the world.
In her presentation titled, Breaking Limits-Journeying into Aviation, Mrs. Adegbe told the girls that “the sky is not your limits. It is only your beginning.” She said journeying into aviation as a female “requires that a girl embraces her power even though “it can be intimidating with few female faces. But being female is not a weakness. It is your power to inspire and lead.”
She said “every woman in aviation today once faced fear and chose courage. You will face doubts from others and from within” but “your presence creates permission for others to follow. When you rise, you lift others. Nothing good comes easy. Nothing great is built in comfort. Breaking limits means sacrificing ease to gain excellence. Embrace the challenges. There will be exams, doubts, rejection, and long hours. Every struggle you overcome becomes part of your strength. If it’s easy, it won’t change you. If it changes you, it won’t be easy.”
She further said “You need strategy to succeed. Passion opens the door, but strategy takes you through it. Success isn’t about luck. It is about clear steps and smart choices.
Learn to research and plan meticulously. Ask insightful questions and seek out mentors. Strategy is what makes dreams real and reachable.”
“Hard work alone can lead to burnout and inefficiency. Smart work makes your effort count, maximizing impact. Instead of studying everything, focus on what matters most. Plan your path. Set goals, seek guidance, build skills, and take action. Remember! Effort without direction is like flying without a compass. You are not here to fit in. You are here to break limits,” she said.
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