In a grand ceremony held yesterday, 17th April, 2026, at the NiGAV Center Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Captain Joan Obasi, Chief Pilot of United Nigeria Airlines, was honored as the Female Pilot of the Year at the 15th Nigeria Aviation Awards and Ministerial Dinner.
The event brought together industry professionals and stakeholders to celebrate excellence and sustained contributions to safe flight operations within Nigeria.
This prestigious recognition is a testament to Captain Obasi’s technical excellence, dedication and leadership. As Chief Pilot, she oversees flight standards, crew training, and operational compliance, playing a central role in strengthening the safety culture and operational discipline at United Nigeria Airlines.
According to the organizers, Captain Joan Obasi emerged as the leading choice in the public poll following her nomination.
The award was received on behalf of Captain Obasi by First Officer Folake Marcetic, as the Chief Pilot is currently overseas for professional training. In a statement delivered by Marcetic, Captain Obasi described the recognition as both a personal milestone and a victory for institutional excellence.
“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. I am honored by this recognition and grateful to Almighty God, the management and staff of United Nigeria Airlines for their support, and the public who voted. It is a call to do more, as we continue to contribute to the growth of aviation in Nigeria and Africa.”
In a congratulatory message, United Nigeria Airlines praised her achievement as a reflection of the airline’s core values regarding human capital development and safety.
The management described Captain Obasi as a consummate professional whose dedication to operational excellence inspires confidence across the flight deck and beyond, adding that her recognition reinforces the United Nigeria Airlines commitment to nurturing talent and promoting inclusivity.
Her emergence as Female Pilot of the Year not only celebrates individual excellence but also signals a broader shift toward greater inclusion and recognition of women in an industry that has long been dominated by men.
