By Jemi Ekunkunbor

Deputy Superintendent of Customs Nike Nafisat Balogun made history recently as the first female pilot in the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Airwing.
Until this feat, her dream of becoming a pilot would have remained mere fantasy, but for her resilience and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, who, like ligaments and pillars, supported her and made her dreams come true by sponsoring her training.

Her journey into Aviation began in 2002 when she enrolled at the Nigerian College of Aviation and Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, where she obtained a certificate as Cabin Attendant. Working as a cabin crew member brought her close to the cockpit–her ultimate dream destination.
Hungry for knowledge, the beautiful Nike spent the next couple of years improving herself. She pitched tent with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, where she obtained a Diploma, a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree all in Public Administration.
The tennis enthusiast later enrolled at the Jordan Airline Training & Simulation, JATS, in Amman, Jordan  where she obtained a Train The Trainers, TTT, certificate.
Making it to the Flying Academy Miami for her pilot certification was the icing on the career cake that she had spent years baking.
Now, an inspiration to women seeking to shatter the glass ceiling, Captain Nike Balogun shares her fascinating rise-to-fame story.
 Enjoy.

You could have joined any organisation to start your career; what attracted you to the Nigeria Customs Service?
Joining the Nigerian Customs Service was by accident. As at when I joined, I did not know much about the service. But after my cabin crew training at Nigerian College of Aviation and Technology, Zaria, I submitted my CV and I was called for an interview. I was one of those selected for the cabin crew job.

Did the uniform play any role?
As at then, not at all; I just wanted to fly, work, and so, I submitted my CV and got the job

 What was growing up like?
Growing up was interesting. I was born in Kaduna North. I started my primary education there, but later my parents took me to the village to live with my mum’s mother. I learnt a lot of things while living with her. She taught me how to cook. I learnt a lot from her. I finished my primary school there in Ilesa and then went to live with my dad and stepmother in Lagos. He is late now. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
I was not born in a polygamous home, but I grew up in a polygamous home. It was challenging, but it made me who I am today.
I learnt to be independent and to do things by myself. I’ve sold sweet potatoes before to survive. I’ve sold cooked rice to also survive, because I needed money to survive. I am the first daughter of my home. I have siblings to take care of. I have worked as a labourer with bricklayers at a cemetery, because I needed money to survive.
Here I am today. After secondary education, instead of sitting at home, I still hustled some money and went to the College of Aviation and Management. I sponsored myself and got an advanced diploma there. Then I went to Aviation school in Zaria, because I wanted to be a pilot, but the fee was too high. It was about seven million or thereabout then. So, I could not pay, and nobody was there to pay for me. So, I sold things, gathered a little money, my mum added some, and I got admission to the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Zaria. Since I could not train as a pilot, I got the cabin crew slot.
After my training, fortunately for me, I got a job with the Nigerian Customs Service. I kept developing myself and never gave up hope. I kept developing myself while waiting to be a pilot. I have a lot of certificates. So, my growing up moulded me into who I am now, and I really thank God.

How has your career journey been like?
My career has been very interesting and eventful. Starting off as a cabin crew exposed me to a lot of places, countries, and of course, meeting different people. For instance, as a cabin crew, I get to fly with the Conptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service and other top-ranking officers in the service. Now, metamorphosing from cabin to cockpit is the highlight of my career– not only the change itself, but also the distinction of being the first female pilot of the Nigeria Customs Service.

At what point in your career did you make a detour to start flying?
To be honest, my dream has always been to be a pilot not even a cabin crew but due to financial constraints, I could not enrol for flying training then. So, I decided to start as a cabin crew first  and that enabled me to come so close to the cockpit. As a cabin crew member, when ever we flew, I’m always inspired and motivated believing that one day, I will be the pilot flying. Here we are today-a dream come true, courtesy of the Nigeria Customs Service sponsorship

Where did you take your initial training to become a pilot?
it was in Maimi, Florida. Flying Academy.

What was the most interesting aspect of the training?
The most interesting aspect of my training was the first time I flew the aircraft all by myself; that was my first solo.

What did you find most challenging?
The most challenging aspect of the traning was the weather. Weather is usually unpredictable, it is a natural phenomenal that you must obey, this was the major factor that prolonged my training beyond the schedule time. Another challenging aspect was in flying, this is because everything is procedural. Getting a Designated Pilot Examiner, DPE, for exam by the school was another.

What was your solo flight like?
My solo flight was an interesting flight. I believed in myself. I was well prepared for it. My instructor rated me high after the solo and I was celebrated by the school and other students.

What aircrafts have you flown so far and have you done any other specific training (type rating) on any bigger aircraft aside the ones used during training?
I’ve flown Cessna, Skyhawk and other type ratings are in process. Anytime from now, I will have other ratings for bigger aircrafts.

 How does it feel to be the first female pilot of the Nigeria Customs Service?
I feel elevated, and this comes with a sense of accomplishment, responsibility to pave the way for others, and potentially some pressure, to constantly prove myself in a male-dominated field.

What do you love most about flying and what don’t you like about it?
I love everything about flying. You multitask and have the opportunity to go to different places, meet different people, and experience various cultures and backgrounds.
What I don’t like about flying is bad weather.

Where is your favourite flight destination?
I’ve enjoyed every part of my flight time and destinations; Mico Island, St. Augustine in America etc. I’ve flown to several places and all were great and fun and so beautiful.

The ratio of men to women in the cockpit is still very wide; what in your view keep women away from flying?

Gender stereotypes and barriers can create barriers for women in aviation. There is a prevailing perception that aviation is a male- dominated field, leading to stereotype that women are less capable or suitable for certain roles within the industry. Also, there is the issue of work-life balance. The demanding nature of aviation particularly as a pilot can pose a challenge for women seeking work life balance; irregular schedule of duty, long hours and extensive travel requirement can impact their personal life and make it difficult to pursue career in aviation. As you know, as women, we create children, we take care of the home, we take care of children, we take care of husband, the whole need of the house. etc all these can affect women. As a pilot, we travel a lot, make stops, you might sleep out of your house. All these can reduce the ratio of men to women in the cockpit.

Training I hear is expensive, are there scholarships that young girls can access?
Aviation is expensive. To be a pilot is expensive. If a school gives you a quotation of say 1,000 dollars be ready to pay $1,500 or $2,000.
I have no idea where young girls can get scholarship for aviation training.

Where do you aspire to be in 10 years?
Hmmm…to be a captain with ratings on other bigger aircrafts- Boeing Airbus, and to be a foremost leader of aviation in Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

How would you use your training so far to promote safety and security within the Nigerian borders?
This is a security-relater matter, so I won’t be able to divulge much information. However, my training will help in reducing smuggling activities within the Nigeria’s borders.

When you are not flying what do you like to do?
I love cooking; cooking Nigerian dishes. I also love to read books on aviation, watch videos on flying and also play table tennis.

Who has had the most influence on your life?
To be honest, I have been my own inspiration. I just want to get better and better everyday. From day one, I’ve been the one pushing myself to a better destination.

What is your advice to aspiring female pilots?
 Dream big! Believe in God and believe in yourself. Never give up. Challenges are components of success. Never be afraid of challenges; always try to develop yourself and keep improving. The sky is your starting point. Never limit yourself.

Tell me, when you get to drive a car, do you feel a bit confused?
Not at all because flying and driving are two different things. I’ve been driving for the past 25 years and it is quite different from flying. There is nothing to be compared to it.

Since you belong to women in uniform, when you are not working, how do you like to dress?
Simplicity has always been my watchword. I dress very simply and cover my hair and body because I’m a Muslim. My dressing is simple and beautiful.

What’s your favourite fashion item?
That will be gowns but I like made-in-Nigeria products. I appreciate designers and wear some, but I am not crazy about them. I go for what suits me. I know what suits me, and I go for it.

What beauty product can’t you do without?
Perfumes! I can’t do without them. I can’t go out without wearing perfume. I don’t even wear one, I mix two or more perfumes. I like people who smell well so I cannot do without my perfume. Smelling nice is good business.