Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni, Nigeria’s first female fighter pilot, has once again made history — not from the cockpit this time, but in the classroom.
The prestigious Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra, Ghana, awarded the distinguished officer the titles of Best Allied Student and recipient of the Best Assistant Commandant Paper Award.
The dual honours were presented during the college’s 2025 graduation ceremony, which brought together top military officials, defence attachés, and dignitaries from across Africa. It marks another high point in Sanni’s already historic career — and a proud moment for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
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A Flight Path Defined by Firsts
Flt. Lt. Kafayat Sanni first captivated national attention in 2019, when she was decorated as the first-ever female fighter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force’s history. Her achievement followed an 18-month intensive flight training program in the United States, which included advanced combat instruction at the Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.
Since then, she has flown high-performance military aircraft such as the Alpha Jet and served as an instructor pilot on the Super Mushshak, where she has trained and mentored junior officers in the art and science of aerial warfare.
At just 29 years old, Sanni is not only breaking ceilings — she’s rewriting the blueprint for women in African defence systems.
From Combat Flight to Academic Heights
Her recent success at GAFCSC signals her versatility and strategic depth beyond the cockpit. The Best Allied Student award is presented to the most outstanding international officer in the college’s command and staff course — a rigorous, year-long program covering leadership, defence policy, military strategy, and inter-service cooperation.
The Best Assistant Commandant Paper award highlights Sanni’s thought leadership and her ability to engage in critical defence discourse. Her award-winning paper reportedly focused on regional security integration and the role of air power in asymmetric conflict — a timely subject in today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape.
A Win for Nigeria, a Win for Africa
According to the Nigerian Air Force, Sanni’s feat “symbolizes not just personal excellence, but also Nigeria’s rising leadership in regional defence and a renewed commitment to gender inclusion within the armed forces.”
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, stated:
“Flight Lt. Sanni’s performance is a reflection of our strategic investment in human capital and our vision for inclusive, future-facing leadership across our military ranks.”
Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff, has attributed her success to the reforms he initiated, which emphasize education, innovation, and merit-based advancement.
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Gender Inclusion in Flight
Flt. Lt. Sanni’s journey began in 2012, when she joined the Nigerian Air Force straight out of university. Her rise in the ranks has mirrored NAF’s growing focus on gender inclusion, following global conversations on diversity in defence.
Her narrative closely links to another NAF pioneer — the late Tolulope Arotile, who was Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot. Together, they represent a new generation of African women challenging norms and occupying roles once deemed unattainable.
Today, Sanni’s career continues to inspire countless young women in Nigeria and across the continent, particularly in STEM and defence spaces.
A Legacy Still in Flight
Flt. Lt. Kafayat Sanni’s achievements serve as a beacon for what’s possible when merit, mentorship, and mission align. Her story continues to affirm that the sky is no longer the limit — it’s just the beginning.