Nigeria’s First Female Fighter Pilot Wins Big in Ghana, Vows to Keep Strengthening Nigeria’s Air Power

 

Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni, Nigeria’s trailblazing first female fighter pilot, has once again soared to new heights—this time earning prestigious awards at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra.

Sanni was honoured as the Best Allied Student and also received the Best Assistant Commandant Paper award during the College’s graduation ceremony held on Friday. The event attracted top military brass and dignitaries from across Africa.

The recognition was made public through a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

Kafayat Sanni first made national headlines in 2019 when she became the first woman in Nigeria’s history to be decorated as a combat fighter pilot, having completed rigorous flight training in the United States.

Since then, she has flown combat missions on the Alpha Jet and carried out advanced training on the Super Mushshak aircraft. She now serves as a proficient instructor, guiding and mentoring the next generation of Air Force pilots.

Air Commodore Ejodame praised her recent achievement, noting that it reflects not just her personal discipline and excellence, but also the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to leadership development and gender inclusion.

“This milestone speaks volumes about Nigeria’s growing influence in regional military affairs and the strategic vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, in building elite human capital for national defence,” he stated.

Beyond the accolades, Sanni remains committed to advancing Nigeria’s air combat capabilities. With renewed determination, she has pledged to continue serving as a driving force in strengthening the Nigerian Air Force and contributing meaningfully to the country’s overall military power.