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FIRST FEMALE CUSTOMS PILOT BALOGUN EARNS MULTI ENGINE LICENCE IN US, DEEPENS HISTORY IN NCS AVIATION
By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Customs Service has celebrated Superintendent of Customs Nafisat Olanike Balogun for achieving a commercial multi engine pilot licence in the United States, adding to her record as the Service’s first female pilot.
The milestone was acknowledged at a recognition ceremony organised by the Service’s aviation arm, where management officials and colleagues described her journey as one marked by resilience, discipline and steady progression. Senior officers said the achievement is a defining moment in the history of Customs aviation and reflects expanding opportunities for women in specialised operational fields within the Service.
Balogun’s career shows a gradual transformation within the NCS. She joined the Nigeria Customs Service in 2002 as a Customs Assistant and was deployed to the Airwing Unit as cabin crew, a role that introduced her to aviation operations in the Service.
She later strengthened her academic and professional profile, earning an Advanced Diploma in Air Ticketing and Cabin Services and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
A major turning point came when she transitioned into pilot training and obtained her certification from a flying academy in Miami, Florida, with sponsorship support from the Nigeria Customs Service. That milestone, first recorded in 2024, established her as the Service’s pioneering female pilot.
Her latest accomplishment, a commercial multi engine pilot licence, reinforces her place as one of the most notable success stories in the Customs aviation structure.
Speaking on her journey, Balogun expressed gratitude for the institutional support she received throughout her career progression, describing the path as demanding but rewarding. She credited mentorship, discipline and the encouragement of colleagues for sustaining her through the rigorous demands of aviation training.
“This achievement is deeply meaningful to me. It reflects not just personal effort, but the support system that has guided me throughout my journey,” she said.
She reaffirmed her commitment to professional excellence and continued service, pledging to uphold high standards in her duties.
Senior officers at the recognition described her story as an inspiration to younger personnel, particularly women in the Service. They noted that her rise demonstrates what is possible within a system that rewards dedication and perseverance.
For many within the Nigeria Customs Service, Balogun’s achievement is seen as a symbolic breakthrough that signals a widening horizon for inclusion, ambition and professional advancement in Nigeria’s paramilitary aviation space.
