By Zainab Adinoyi
Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni, Nigeria’s trailblazing first female fighter pilot, has once again etched her name in the annals of history — this time on international soil.
Sanni emerged as the Best Allied Student and clinched the Best Assistant Commandant Paper Award at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra. Her latest achievements were unveiled in a statement by the Nigerian Air Force’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, during the college’s prestigious graduation ceremony attended by top-ranking military officers and dignitaries from across Africa.
This recognition not only reaffirms her excellence but also reinforces Nigeria’s growing leadership in regional military training and its continued efforts toward gender inclusivity in defence.
Flight Lieutenant Sanni rose to national prominence in 2019 when she shattered the glass ceiling to become the first-ever female fighter pilot in the history of the Nigerian Air Force, following her advanced training in the United States. She has since flown the Alpha Jet on several missions and currently serves as an instructor pilot on the Super Mushshak, playing a crucial role in mentoring the next generation of Nigerian pilots.
Her outstanding performance at GAFCSC, one of West Africa’s premier military institutions, underscores her unwavering commitment to professionalism, academic excellence, and leadership.
“The success of Flight Lieutenant Sanni at this prestigious institution demonstrates the high standards of the Nigerian Air Force and the quality of officers it produces. Her achievements also serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration to young girls across Africa,” Air Commodore Gabkwet noted.
Sanni’s journey continues to break new ground, proving that with dedication and resilience, no sky is too high.