Meet the 5 women changing Nigeria's aviation space

Gone are the days when certain professional roles were reserved for men. Today, the status quo has shifted, and the narrative has changed.

Nigeria’s aviation sector, which contributes approximately $2.5 billion to the national GDP and supports over 216,700 jobs, has long been dominated by men. From the flight deck to the executive suite, women were historically scarce, their roles largely confined to cabin crew or support positions.

That reality is changing. A new wave of daring, industrious, and ambitious women are now taking on challenging roles in technical, managerial, and regulatory capacities.

In present-day Nigeria, female pilots command commercial aircraft, airline executives oversee multi-million-dollar operations, and leaders in aviation agencies shape national and continental policy.

The industry itself remains complex and capital-intensive, with 31 airports and 1.16 million scheduled passenger seats as of December 2025, a slight decline from the previous year, making Nigeria Africa’s fifth-largest airline market.

Here are five industrious aviation women changing the game in Nigeria:

1. Olubunmi Kuku – Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

In December 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), making her the first woman to lead the agency since its creation in 1976.

Kuku studied Finance at the University of Illinois, graduating in 2000, before earning an MBA in International Finance and Strategic Management from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business in 2004.

At the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Kuku held senior leadership roles overseeing Business Development, Investment, and Strategy & Infrastructure Development. She worked at the intersection of policy and practice, aligning commercial viability with national airspace needs.



2. Kemi Nanna Nandap – Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

Kemi Nanna Nandap was appointed Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service by President Tinubu in January 2024. She oversees border management, migration control, and passport and visa operations, with a focus on modernisation and technology-driven reforms.

Previously, she led the Passport and Other Travel Documents Directorate, implementing reforms that modernised Nigeria’s passport system. Her tenure has emphasized technology integration, including the e-Border Solution Project, Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, automated visa issuance, and airport e-Gates to enhance efficiency and security.

3. Adefunke Adeyemi – Secretary-General, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)

Since September 1, 2022, Adefunke Adeyemi has served as Secretary-General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), a specialized agency of the African Union overseeing civil aviation across the continent.

In this role, she guides the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), advocating for aviation safety, security, liberalisation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable growth.

Her leadership was reaffirmed in November 2024 with her re-election for a second three-year term, reflecting the trust and confidence of Africa’s civil aviation stakeholders.



4. Elizabeth Jack-Rich – Founder, ELIN Air

Elizabeth Jack-Rich is the founder and chief executive of ELIN Group Limited, a Lagos-based diversified conglomerate spanning energy, aviation, maritime, agriculture, and real estate.

Since launching the group in 2017, Jack-Rich has positioned ELIN as an integrated platform for long-term value creation in capital-intensive industries. She also founded the Elizabeth Jack-Rich Aid Foundation the same year, reflecting her commitment to social impact and community development.



5. Toyin Olajide – Managing Director/COO, Air Peace

Toyin Olajide is the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest privately owned airline. She is the first female to hold the position, leading operations, safety, and strategic growth initiatives since her appointment in 2014.

Under Olajide’s leadership, Air Peace expanded its fleet from seven to 24 aircraft, launched new domestic and West African routes, and conducted Nigeria’s first “all-female flight crew” operation.

She has been recognised for advancing gender diversity in aviation and building a platform for operational excellence in Nigeria’s airline industry.

SP/MA

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