UNA’s Captain Joan Obasi Bags Female Pilot of the Year Award at 15th NiGAV Ceremony
Captain Joan Obasi, Chief Pilot of United Nigeria Airlines, has been honoured as Female Pilot of the Year at the 15th Nigeria Aviation Awards, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to aviation safety, leadership, and operational excellence.
The award was presented during a high-profile ceremony and ministerial dinner held on April 17 at the NiGAV Centre, located within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The event convened key industry stakeholders, regulators, and aviation professionals to celebrate achievements and sustained commitment to safe flight operations across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Captain Obasi, who currently serves as Chief Pilot at United Nigeria Airlines, was recognised for her technical expertise, discipline, and exemplary leadership. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing flight standards, crew training, and strict adherence to operational regulations – functions considered critical to maintaining safety and efficiency within the airline.
According to the organisers, her emergence as the winner followed a competitive public voting process, where she secured the highest number of votes after being shortlisted among top nominees in the category.
As she was away overseas undergoing professional training, the award was received on her behalf by First Officer Folake Marcetic. In a statement delivered at the ceremony, Captain Obasi described the recognition as both a personal achievement and a reflection of collective excellence within her organisation.
“This award is a tribute to the collective discipline of my team at United Nigeria Airlines and a message to every aspiring female aviator that the sky is no longer a limit, but a workplace where competence is the only currency,” she stated. “I am honoured by this recognition and grateful to Almighty God, the management and staff of United Nigeria Airlines, and the public who voted. It is also a call to do more as we continue to contribute to the growth of aviation in Nigeria and across Africa.”
In a separate congratulatory message, the airline’s management commended Captain Obasi’s accomplishment, describing it as a reflection of the company’s strong commitment to human capital development and aviation safety.
The airline further characterised her as a consummate professional whose dedication inspires confidence both within the cockpit and across the broader operational structure. It added that her recognition underscores the organisation’s focus on nurturing talent, promoting inclusivity, and maintaining the highest safety standards.
Captain Obasi’s achievement represents more than individual success. It highlights a gradual but significant shift towards increased representation and recognition of women in aviation – a field historically dominated by men.
Her award is seen as both a milestone and an encouragement for more women to pursue and excel in aviation careers.
