Nigeria’s trailblazing first female fighter pilot, Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni, has once again etched her name in history, clinching two prestigious awards at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra.
At the college’s graduation ceremony on Friday, attended by top-ranking military officials and dignitaries from across Africa, Flt Lt Sanni was honoured as the Best Allied Student and also received the award for the Best Assistant Commandant Paper, a distinction reserved for academic and strategic excellence.
Sanni first rose to national prominence in 2019, when she became the first female fighter pilot in the history of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), following her rigorous training in the United States. Since then, she has served with distinction, flying the Alpha Jet, and playing a key role in training the next generation of Nigerian pilots through her work on the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.
Her recent achievements at GAFCSC not only highlight her personal resilience and dedication but also underscore Nigeria’s rising influence in regional military circles, and its progressive stance on gender inclusion in the armed forces.
Analysts say her success also reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to investing in human capital under the leadership of Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, whose strategic reforms continue to produce results on both domestic and international fronts.
Flt Lt Sanni’s accomplishment serves as a powerful inspiration for young women across Africa and reaffirms Nigeria’s position as a leader in promoting excellence and innovation within its armed forces.
