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In a remarkable achievement that has filled Nigerians with pride, Flight Lieutenant Kafayat Sanni, the country’s first female fighter pilot, has been honoured in Ghana for her exceptional performance. She received two prestigious awards — Best Allied Student and Best Assistant Commandant Paper — at the graduation ceremony of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) in Accra, held in June 2025.
Kafayat Sanni has consistently proven her excellence, both in the skies and in academic circles. She rose to national prominence in 2019 when she was decorated as Nigeria’s first-ever female fighter pilot after successfully completing rigorous aviation training in the United States. This was a groundbreaking moment for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), as she broke a 55-year-old gender barrier.
At GAFCSC, Sanni stood out among officers from several African countries, demonstrating her intellectual strength, leadership ability, and discipline. The Best Allied Student award recognizes the top-performing international student at the institution, while the Best Assistant Commandant Paper award is given to the officer with the most insightful strategic analysis and recommendations.
Her journey in the Nigerian Air Force began in 2012, and by 2017 she had already emerged as the best student at the 401 Flying Training School in Kaduna. Since then, she has flown the Alpha Jet and served as an instructor on the Super Mushshak aircraft, training younger pilots.
Sanni’s recent honours not only reflect her personal achievements but also highlight the progress being made in gender inclusion within the Nigerian military. Her story continues to inspire countless young women across Nigeria and Africa who dream of soaring beyond societal limits.
Kafayat Sanni is more than a pilot — she is a national symbol of excellence, courage, and possibility. Her success is a beacon lighting the path for future generations of female leaders in Africa.
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