Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Omolara Sanni, Nigeria’s first female fighter pilot, has added another historic achievement to her name by winning top honours at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra. During the graduation ceremony held on 20 June 2025, she was awarded Best Allied Student and Best Assistant Commandant Paper.
The event drew senior military leaders and dignitaries from across Africa, highlighting regional cooperation in defence training. Speaking on her win, one official noted that “Flt Lt Sanni’s achievements demonstrate the excellence that the Nigerian Air Force brings to the international defence space.”
Flt Lt Sanni first gained national attention in 2019 when she became the Nigerian Air Force’s first female fighter pilot after completing training in the United States. Since then, she has flown the Alpha Jet and trained on the Super Mushshak, becoming a highly respected instructor pilot within the Nigerian Air Force.
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Her performance at GAFCSC reflects not only her personal discipline and determination but also the NAF’s push for gender inclusion and human capital development. “This is a clear result of the strategic vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar,” said a senior Air Force spokesperson.