Adeola Sowemimo is a Nigerian aircraft pilot who has made history by becoming the first Nigerian female pilot to work for Qatar Airways, the state-owned national carrier of Qatar. She is also the first Nigerian female pilot to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircrafts in the world.

Her Story and Educational Journey

Sowemimo’s passion and determination for aviation started since 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood. She said, “I have always loved flying right from when I was a little girl. I remember telling my dad that I wanted to be a pilot when I grow up.” She pursued her dream by enrolling at the US-based Sunrise Aviation Academy where she graduated in 2011. She then worked as a flight instructor at the same academy for two years before joining Medview Operations in Abuja in 2013, where her career really took off. She started out as a first officer on a Boeing 737 Classic before moving on to a Boeing 767-300ER.

In October 2018, she joined Qatar Airways and became the first Nigerian woman to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In 2020, Qatar Air operated its inaugural flight to Abuja, Nigeria, and Sowemimo was in the right seat as she assisted Captain Khan Sameer Ali. She expressed her gratitude to God and her family for their support and encouragement throughout her journey. She said, “It is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvelous in my sight.”

Relevant Statistics to the Story

According to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, there are only about 8,600 female pilots worldwide, representing about 5.4% of the total pilot population. In Africa, the percentage is even lower, with only about 2.4% of pilots being female. Nigeria has about 150 female pilots out of a total of 2,500 pilots, which is about 6%.

Qatar Airways is one of the leading airlines in the world, with a fleet of more than 200 aircrafts flying to over 160 destinations across six continents. It has won several awards, including the Skytrax Airline of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019. It is also one of the few airlines that have achieved the Skytrax Five Star rating.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner that can carry between 242 and 330 passengers. It has several innovative features, such as composite materials, electrical systems, wing design, cabin pressure and noise reduction. It also consumes about 20% less fuel than other similar aircrafts.

Why She Should Be Celebrated

Sowemimo should be celebrated because she is a trailblazer and a role model for many Nigerians, especially women and girls who aspire to pursue careers in aviation or other fields that are traditionally dominated by men. She has broken barriers and stereotypes by achieving what many people thought was impossible or improbable for a Nigerian woman. She has also shown excellence and professionalism in her work by flying one of the most sophisticated aircrafts in the world for one of the best airlines in the world.

Sowemimo should also be celebrated because she represents the potential and talent of Nigerians in the diaspora who are making positive contributions to their host countries and communities. She has shown that Nigerians can excel in any field or industry if given the opportunity and support. She has also shown that Nigerians can be ambassadors of their country by showcasing its culture, values and achievements to the world.

She said, “I am proud to be a Nigerian woman and I hope to inspire other young girls who have dreams of becoming pilots or anything they want to be. Nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself and work hard.”

Her Other Accomplishments

Apart from being the first Nigerian female pilot to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Qatar Airways, Sowemimo has also achieved other accomplishments in her career and personal life. Some of them are:

• She is the first Nigerian female pilot to fly the Boeing 767 Aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, being in the same league with Kenya’s Captain Irene Koki, and Ethiopia’s Captain Amsale Gulau.
• She is a member of the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, a non-profit organization that promotes and supports female pilots around the world.
• She is a mentor and a speaker at various events and platforms that aim to inspire and motivate young people, especially girls, to pursue their dreams and goals in life.
• She is a wife and a mother of two 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, balancing her family and career responsibilities with grace and dedication.

Nigeria is a country with many talented and ambitious women who are breaking barriers and achieving their dreams in various fields. One of these fields is aviation, which has traditionally been dominated by men. However, three Nigerian sisters (The Makinde Sisters) have defied the odds and become pilots, following the footsteps of their father, a veteran helicopter pilot.

Mopelola, Oluwaseun, and Oluwafunmilayo Makinde are the daughters of Captain Wale Makinde, who works for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Growing up, they were inspired by their father’s stories of flying helicopters to remote and challenging terrains. They also developed a passion for planes and flying, which led them to pursue careers in aviation.

Mopelola Makinde is the eldest of the three sisters. She earned her pilot’s license with the help of her family and became a helicopter pilot. She works for Caverton Helicopters, a leading provider of aviation services in Nigeria. She enjoys flying and overcoming the challenges that come with it.