The first female pilot of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nafisat Balogun, has obtained a commercial multi-engine pilot licence in the United States.
NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
Maiwada said that following the feat, Superintendent of Customs Balogun was honored at a ceremony organized by the Nigeria Customs Technical Hangar Service recently.
He described her achievement as a historic milestone, being the first female pilot in a field long dominated by men.
Maiwada noted that Balogun’s resilience, discipline, and determination serve as motivation for other officers to strive for excellence and seize new opportunities within the service.
Speaking at the celebration, the Managing Director of the Customs Technical Hangar Service, Captain Kuhi Mbaya, described Balogun’s journey as inspiring and transformative.
Mbaya said her achievement was a source of pride for the service, noting that she rose from a cabin attendant to a fully-fledged commercial pilot.
“This is a great achievement not only for her but for the entire service,” he said.
Mbaya added that her accomplishment had set a precedent and reflected the evolving opportunities within the NCS.
“For the first time, we now have a female pilot in the NCS. She has set a record and it is important that we celebrate and recognize this milestone,” he said.
He urged women to draw inspiration from Balogun’s success and pursue their ambitions in specialized fields without fear, as barriers continue to be broken.
“This achievement shows that there are no limits. The glass ceiling has been shattered, and with determination and consistency, more women can achieve their dreams,” Mbaya said.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his leadership and commitment to gender inclusion in the service.
In response, Balogun thanked the NCS for believing in her and supporting her journey.
She reaffirmed her commitment to discharge her duties with dedication, integrity, and professionalism.
It was recalled that in 2024, the NCS announced Balogun as the first female pilot in the service, rising from a cabin crew member to a trailblazer in aviation.
