Ghana Military College: Nigeria’s First Female Fighter Pilot, Kafayat Sanni, Bags Top Awards

Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni, Nigeria’s first female fighter pilot, has once again made the nation proud by clinching two top honours at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), Accra.

Sanni emerged as the Best Allied Student and also won the Best Assistant Commandant Paper award, distinguishing herself among military officers from across Africa.

This milestone was announced in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Saturday in Abuja.

“The awards were presented on Friday during the College graduation ceremony, which was attended by top military officials and dignitaries from across Africa,” Gabkwet stated.

Flt. Lt. Sanni first gained national recognition in 2019 when she was decorated as the Nigerian Air Force’s first-ever female fighter pilot, having completed her training in the United States.

“Since then, she has flown the Alpha Jet as well as undertaken training sorties on the Super Mushshak as a prolific instructor pilot, producing and mentoring younger pilots for the NAF,” he added.

Gabkwet emphasized that her stellar performance at GAFCSC is more than a personal triumph.

“Her outstanding performance at GAFCSC not only symbolises personal excellence and resilience but also underscores Nigeria’s growing leadership in regional defence and commitment to gender inclusion in the armed forces.

“This remarkable achievement further reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s strategic investment in human capital development under the visionary leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar,” he said.