Increasing Women Managerial Roles in Aviation Sector
Chinedu Eze
The rebirth of democracy in Nigeria, marked by what is termed the 4th Republic, which started in 1999, brought forth some invisible but important benefits.
It accentuated the rise of women in the public service without hindrances and on their own terms, defined by competence, knowledge and skills.
In those days, it is said that when there was opening for a major managerial position and a woman was next in line, series of consulting would start and sometimes the woman would have bypassed and the next man behind her would be given the position. Sometimes the women would grumble and the “oppression” would be allowed to passed, dismissed with aphorisms and lopsided quotes to justify the injustice.
But that belongs to the past, women have taken up the gauntlet and they are hitting hard everywhere and taking over the reins of power in every field of endeavour with hard work, discipline and commitment. In the aviation industry, there are chief executives, pilots, aeronautical engineers, airspace managers, aviation security experts, marshallers, schedulers and others.
Some years ago, Women in Aviation (WIA) the Nigerian chapter was formed to serve as umbrella body for all women working in the aviation industry. But globally, Women in Aviation as an organisation, started in the early 20th Century in France and spread to the rest of Europe and the United States. Today, it has become a global body protecting the interest of women in the industry.
The number of women in aviation in Nigeria has grown tremendously that the top members of the association who spoke to THISDAY projected that women occupy about 40% of the managerial workforce in the aviation industry, from top flight executives, airport management, senior technical crew and senior administrative portfolios.
“But when you talk about the number of women working in the aviation industry, including lower cadre personnel, administrative, it should be over 50% of the workforce of the industry. Some jobs are basically left for women, like flight attendant; men are becoming scarce in the area,” one of them said.
During the meeting last Sunday, which peaked with awards to women who had recorded exceptional achievements in the last one year, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh, spoke on work-life balance for professional women in aviation and said that women have become outstanding in the aviation industry and noted their significant contribution in the growth of the industry.
Udoh said women keep the aviation industry flying—women who manage aircraft, airports, air traffic, safety systems, policies, finances, crews, and operations, “often under immense pressure and unforgiving timelines.”
“Aviation is not just a career. It is a calling. It demands precision, discipline, resilience, and sacrifice. But today, I want to speak about something just as critical to safety and sustainability as regulations and procedures—work–life balance. For professional women in aviation, work–life balance is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
“Our industry operates 24 hours a day, across time zones, weekends, holidays, and emergencies. Many of us juggle shift work, irregular schedules, long duty hours, constant recertification, and high-stakes decision-making—while also carrying responsibilities at home, in our communities, and within ourselves.
Too often, we are praised for “doing it all,” but rarely supported in doing it well and healthily,” the former NAMA boss said.
He emphasised that work–life balance does not mean working less or caring less about the profession. It means working smarter, setting boundaries, and recognising that a fatigued, burnt-out professional is a risk—not only to herself, but to the entire aviation system.
“In aviation, we understand the dangers of fatigue. We regulate crew duty times, mandate rest periods, and investigate human factors. Yet many women quietly ignore their own exhaustion, believing they must prove themselves constantly in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Your value is not measured by how much of yourself you sacrifice. Balance looks different for each of us. For some, it means flexible scheduling. For others, it means supportive leadership, reliable childcare, mental health awareness, or the courage to
Speaking, the Lagos Regional Manager of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Mrs. Bukola Teriba, urged women in the aviation industry to take advantage of the federal government’s favourable policy toward women in the sector to aim for greater heights in their various careers.
Teriba said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has given room for Nigerian women to showcase their capabilities and professionalism as many women now occupied various managerial positions in the different agencies under the ministry of aviation.
“Women are taking up leadership positions in the sector and it is something we must encourage and also continue to showcase our capabilities as women. We must not disappoint. The government is empowering women in all fields. Women are not left behind in the industry; we have shown that what men can do, women are doing better as you can see with the many performances of our women holding various positions in the industry,” Teriba said.
Teriba further said that Women in Aviation International, the global body, is not simply an organisation, but “it is a movement of momentum and a force that advances women across every career, every field.”
Welcoming the women to the event, the Chairperson, Women in Aviation, Lagos, Ambassador Ijeoma Chukwu, thanked the members for staying engaged and devoted to the shared vision.
“I encourage us to participate actively, share insights, and engage in discussions that will shape our association’s direction in the coming year. Your voice and commitment are what makes this organization thrive. As we give thanks for our journey so far, let us also renew our dedication to our shared value, mission and vision. Thank you for your unwavering support, dedication, and passion,” Chukwu said.
One of the pioneer leaders of WIA and former Manager, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Mrs. Rejoice Ndudinachi, recalled when the organisation started in Nigeria and the mileage achieved so far.
“From these beginnings, Women in Aviation was born—not merely as an association, but as a movement. A movement driven by purpose, resilience, and the unshakable belief that women belong in every part of the aviation ecosystem: from the cockpit to the control tower, from engineering to leadership, from policy-making to innovation.
“Today, as I look around this room, I am reminded of how far we have come. What started here in Lagos has grown into a powerful network of professionals, students, and advocates who continue to open doors, break barriers, and lift one another higher. From here we have more than 17 branches and 17 aviation clubs,” she said.
Ndusinachi said what women in aviation have achieved so far is invaluable because the global body served as inspiration to their aspiration, sticking tenaciously to the principles as professionals and kept on pushing forward to higher achievements.
“This milestone represents years of consistency and commitment, even when it was hard. Years of learning, mentoring, supporting, and lifting one another. It represents women who refused to give up on their dreams, and women who chose to help others rise along the way,” she stated.
Ndudinachi also recalled that it was never easy at the beginning but so much has been achieved so far.
“Let’s be honest—being a woman in aviation has not always been easy. There have been moments of doubt, moments of exhaustion, moments where the journey felt lonely. But this organization has been a place of strength,” she added.
