Nigerian helicopter pilot Okechukwu Onuchukwu has expressed concern over the low representation of women in aviation, particularly piloting, calling for strategic interventions to bridge the gender gap in the sector.
Onuchukwu spoke with our correspondent on the sidelines of a children’s enlightenment programme, where he charged female children to pursue careers in the aviation industry.
The call is against the backdrop of global statistics showing that female pilots make up a small fraction of the aviation workforce, with North America leading at just 4.6 per cent.
Onuchukwu said, “According to ICAO’s global survey on the status of aviation gender equality released in 2023, women pilots in service showed North America scored highest at 4.6 per cent, followed by Africa at 4.1 per cent, with Europe at 4.0 per cent. There needs to be a conscientious effort to facilitate aviation-related content in our nursery, primary, and secondary schools.
“Additionally, public-private partnerships are crucial in mitigating the costs associated with developing pilots. While more efforts are required to increase girls’ interest in aviation in Nigeria, this must be done in a way that promotes merit in order for it to be sustainable.”
Speaking on the need to reverse the trend, the pilot emphasised the importance of integrating aviation-related content into early education, suggesting that early exposure could spur long-term interest in aviation among girls.
“There needs to be a conscientious effort to facilitate aviation-related content in our nursery, primary, and secondary schools,” he added.
Outlining the challenge barring Nigerians from pursuing a career in aviation, he listed the high cost of pilot training, coupled with limited access to training facilities and stringent flight hour requirements.
He stressed, “The issue of a pilot shortage cuts across different countries, not just Nigeria. You have barriers like the high cost of training, limited training facilities, and flight hour requirements for employment.”
To address the challenges, Onuchukwu proposed a mix of short- and long-term strategies, including the development of aviation-themed educational materials for children and the inclusion of aviation topics in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curricula.
“We should be looking at facilitating the production of aviation-related books for children… then ensure that STEM subjects get the necessary support with aviation materials incorporated into the curriculum,” he advised.
For older students, particularly those eligible for pilot licensing, he advocated for more scholarships and sponsorship programmes, calling for the need for public-private partnerships to offset training costs, while also ensuring that initiatives to support women in aviation uphold standards of merit.
He recalled how Bristow Helicopters had trained him and 19 others, “They have trained the most helicopter pilots for any helicopter company in Africa. My set was 20 pilots trained in Florida, USA.”
Citing a 2023 report by PilotInstitute.com, which found that women make up less than 10 per cent of pilots globally, he said, “There are several reasons why this problem exists, many of which are linked to societal perceptions and biases.
According to an article released by Pilotinstitute.com in 2023, female pilot representation was less than 10 per cent worldwide. Those in the airline transport sector are at even less than six per cent. Although there has been some growth in the numbers, with time and effort, this can be meritoriously addressed.
He also countered claims that aviation careers lack competitive remuneration, asserting that aviation remains one of the most financially rewarding professions.
“There are few professions where the remuneration equates to that of aviation,” he stated.
