The first female pilot of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nafisat Balogun, has obtained a commercial multi-engine pilot licence in the United States of America.
The NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Maiwada said Balogun was recently honoured at a ceremony organised by the Nigeria Customs Technical Hangar Service in recognition of her achievement.
He described her milestone as historic, noting that she has broken barriers in a profession long dominated by men within the service.
According to him, her resilience, discipline and determination serve as inspiration for officers to pursue excellence and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the organisation.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Customs Technical Hangar Service, Captain Kuhi Mbaya, described Balogun’s journey as both inspiring and transformative.
Mbaya noted that she rose from being a cabin attendant to a fully qualified commercial pilot, calling her achievement a source of pride for the service.
“This is a great achievement not only for her but for the entire service,” he said.
He added that her accomplishment sets a new benchmark within the NCS and reflects expanding opportunities for personnel.
“For the first time, we now have a female pilot in the NCS. She has set a record, and it is important that we celebrate and recognise this milestone,” he said.
Mbaya encouraged women in the service to draw inspiration from her success and pursue specialised careers without fear, stressing that barriers are being dismantled.
“This achievement shows that there are no limits. The glass ceiling has been shattered, and with determination and consistency, more women can achieve their dreams,” he added.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his leadership and support for gender inclusion within the service.
In her response, Balogun expressed gratitude to the NCS for its support, saying she remained committed to carrying out her duties with dedication, integrity and professionalism.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that in 2024, the NCS announced Balogun as the first female pilot in its history after her transition from cabin crew to aviation trailblazer.
NAN
