Women in Aviation Nigeria Reports 40% Female Managerial Workforce

Women are increasingly taking on senior leadership roles within Nigeria's aviation industry, with members of a key advocacy group reporting that women now occupy 40% of managerial positions. The trend is attributed to a combination of focused government policy and the efforts of professional organizations to support female advancement in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

This development marks a significant shift in the country's aviation workforce. According to senior members of Women in Aviation (WIA), the Nigerian chapter of the global organization, women also constitute over 50% of the industry's total workforce when including administrative and lower-cadre roles. However, these figures contrast with verified data from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which showed women accounted for 27.65% of its 9,636 employees as of January 2025. The disparity highlights the challenge of obtaining precise, industry-wide diversity metrics, a situation not unique to Nigeria. Globally, women remain underrepresented in key technical roles, holding less than 6% of airline pilot jobs, according to industry data.

Government Support and Industry Commentary

Leaders within Nigeria's aviation regulatory bodies are encouraging women to capitalize on the current environment. Speaking at a recent WIA event, Mrs. Bukola Teriba, the Lagos Regional Manager of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said the current administration has created opportunities for women to showcase their capabilities. "Women are taking up leadership positions in the sector and it is something we must encourage," Teriba stated, urging women not to disappoint.

The event also highlighted the unique challenges women face. Nnamdi Udoh, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), emphasized the need for better work-life balance, framing it as a critical safety issue. "For professional women in aviation, work–life balance is not a luxury; it is a necessity," Udoh said. He noted that the 24/7 nature of aviation demands resilience but warned that a "fatigued, burnt-out professional is a risk... to the entire aviation system."

The Role of Advocacy

The growth in female representation is strongly supported by organizations like WIA. Mrs. Rejoice Ndudinachi, a pioneer leader of the Nigerian chapter, described the organization as a "movement" that has grown to include more than 17 branches and 17 aviation clubs across the country. She highlighted its role in providing a network for mentorship and support. "This organization has been a place of strength," Ndudinachi said, acknowledging the historical difficulties for women in the industry.

While the Nigerian chapter draws inspiration from its global parent, there is a discrepancy in the reported history. The Nigerian source material suggests a French origin in the early 20th century, but official records from Women in Aviation International (WAI) confirm the organization was established in the United States in 1994. WAI's mission is to encourage the advancement of women across all aviation and aerospace careers.

Why This Matters

In my view, the reported rise of women in Nigerian aviation leadership is a positive and significant development for the African continent's largest aviation market. While the self-reported 40% figure requires independent verification, the clear momentum and vocal support from regulatory bodies are undeniable. The crucial next step is to translate this growing representation into systemic change, particularly by addressing the work-life balance and fatigue issues that former NAMA chief Nnamdi Udoh correctly identified as a safety imperative. This isn't just a matter of equality; it's about ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the professional workforce that underpins the entire industry.

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