By Joy Onu
The Lagos Regional Manager of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Barrister Bukola Teriba, has called on women in the aviation sector to leverage the federal government’s policies supporting female professionals to reach greater career heights.
Speaking after receiving “The Woman of the Day” award from Women in Aviation (WAI) at the 2025 Award Night in Lagos, Mrs. Teriba lauded the efforts of the Minister of Aviation, Barr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, and NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo for creating an enabling environment for women in the industry.
She noted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, women now hold numerous managerial positions across various agencies under the Ministry of Aviation. “President Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation, and NCAA DG Capt. Chris Najomo have given women more leadership opportunities in the aviation sector,” she said. “We must showcase our capabilities, aspire higher, and never disappoint.”
Mrs. Teriba emphasized that women are excelling in aviation. “Women are not left behind; we are proving that what men can do, women can often do even better. The performance of women across the industry is testimony to this.”
Speaking on WAI’s mission, she described the organization as “a movement of momentum—a force that advances women across every career, field, and layer of aviation. We exist not merely to applaud accomplishments but to multiply them through mentorship, empowerment, and inspiration.”
She added, “Aviation teaches us that no aircraft defies gravity alone; it rises through alignment, precision, discipline, and trust. Similarly, women in aviation must engineer opportunities, connect, engage, and inspire. When women rise together with purpose and preparation, the industry evolves. To every young girl looking at the skies, we are the answer: the sky is not our limit; it is our runway.”
The event’s guest speaker, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Nnamdi Udoh, urged women to embrace work–life balance. Speaking on the theme ‘Work–Life Balance for Professional Women in Aviation’, he said, “Aviation is a calling. It demands discipline, precision, resilience, and sacrifice. For professional women, work–life balance is not a luxury; it is a necessity. A fatigued, burnt-out professional is a risk not only to herself but to the entire aviation system.”
Engr. Udoh highlighted the importance of mentoring younger women, challenging workplace cultures that glorify overwork, and promoting performance with purpose. “Supporting work–life balance is not a favour to women—it is an investment in retention, safety, diversity, and long-term industry growth,” he said.
Mrs. Rejoice Ndudinachi, National President of Women in Aviation International Nigeria, praised the progress made and called for continued action. “Women in Aviation is not just an association; it is a movement driven by purpose, resilience, and the belief that women belong in every part of aviation—from the cockpit to the control tower, from engineering to leadership,” she said.
She added, “Today is a milestone to reflect on our achievements and prepare for the future. We must continue to inspire the next generation of girls to see the sky as a place of opportunity, not limitation. Every conversation, every act of encouragement, every collaboration over competition shapes the future of our industry.”
