Meet NAF’s first female pilot – Even as a child I’ve always wanted to fly’

Friday, December 9th, 2011, will forever remain memorable for Blessing Liman, the first female military pilot in Nigeria, as she was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as a Flying Officer, alongside 126 Direct Short Service Course 20\2011 Cadets of 325 Ground Training Group in Kaduna. “I’m ready to reciprocate the confidence put on […]

“I believe opportunities should be made for females in the Air Force because they have the potential to become great pilots,” Liman said. She added that women will always do whatever they set their minds to do. “As the first female military pilot in the country, I would want to make a mark that would encourage other females to join the military. I believe that any Nigerian female can become a pilot if they put their minds to it and have the opportunity.”

The 26-year-old Flying Officer, who is an indigene of Kaduna State, also told Weekly Trust that she feels quite uplifted. She assured that she is fit to the do the job alongside her male counterparts because they were equally trained. “I’d always wanted to be a pilot right from childhood but when I started secondary school it sort of changed, as I started thinking of being a doctor. But I guess a dream is always a dream.”

Liman added that her parents are very supportive toward her chosen career. “My parents are of the opinion that you can be whatever you want to be. My mother is a nurse and my father studied Political Science. They’re very supportive.”

When she was in school, Liman said, some of her friends thought it wasn’t a good idea for a woman to be a pilot. “They kept saying it’s a man’s job, but look at me today,” she said.

In his address, the reviewing officer and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar said the successful  passing-out from cadet training of the first female pilot in the NAF is a laudable achievement.