Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Omolara Sanni, Nigeria’s trailblazing first female fighter pilot, has once again made the nation proud by winning two prestigious awards at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Accra.
At the graduation ceremony held on June 20, 2025, Flt Lt Sanni was honoured with the Best Allied Student Award and the Best Assistant Commandant Paper Award—solidifying her reputation as a rising star in Africa’s military leadership. The event was attended by senior military officials and dignitaries from across the continent.
Flt Lt Sanni first captured national attention in 2019 when she became the first woman to be decorated as a fighter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), following her rigorous pilot training in the United States. Since then, she has flown combat missions on the Alpha Jet and trained younger pilots using the Super Mushshak aircraft, serving as a skilled instructor and role model.
Her recent achievements in Ghana not only reflect her personal excellence and determination but also highlight Nigeria’s commitment to regional security, women’s empowerment, and professional military development. The Nigerian Air Force, under the leadership of Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, continues to prioritize human capital growth and gender inclusion in line with global defence standards.
Flt Lt Sanni’s success serves as an inspiration to young Nigerians, especially women, proving that with courage and discipline, the sky is never the limit.
