Blessing Liman is a remarkable Nigerian female pilot. Born on March 13, 1984, in Kaduna State, Nigeria, Liman’s passion for the skies began early. Despite societal expectations that women didn’t belong in fields like aviation or the military, she pursued her dream and embarked on an aviation career.
From September 2006 to October 2012, Blessing Liman pursued her piloting studies at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State. She earned her Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings there, graduating with an Upper Credit. She then returned to the same institution for a Postgraduate Diploma in Aviation Management, earning an Upper Credit.
In 2017, she entered the Nigerian Airforce direct short service course, where she underwent intense training and was soon commissioned as a Combat Flying Officer by December of the same year. Thus, she proved naysayers wrong and made history as the first female pilot in the Nigerian Air Force.
Liman’s ascent in the Nigerian Air Force continued as she was promoted to the prestigious role of captain in the Presidential Air Fleet in 2023, making her the first female to hold this position. The Presidential Air Fleet is responsible for flying high-profile government officials, including the President and Vice President, showing the level of trust and responsibility placed in her hands.
This milestone was a personal achievement and a victory for women in the military, as it proved that women could excel in top leadership roles in fields where they were once underrepresented.
In March 2023, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo publicly acknowledged Liman’s contributions to the aviation sector during International Women’s Day, celebrating her as one of the five female pilots in the Nigerian Air Force, one of the two female pilots responsible for flying Nigeria’s top leaders, and also the first female captain in the Presidential Air Fleet. He emphasised how her success was a powerful example of what women could achieve with equal opportunities.
“Captain Liman and the five other female pilots are great examples of what is possible when we are intentional about providing equal opportunities for women everywhere.” – His Excellency said.
Captain Liman’s achievements didn’t come without challenges. In a male-dominated field, she faced societal pressures and scepticism from those who doubted her abilities solely because of her gender. Throughout her training and career, she consistently proved that she was just as capable—if not more so—than her male colleagues.
Now, her influence extends beyond her roles as a pilot and captain. Today, Blessing Liman is seen as a mentor and an ambassador for gender equality in the military. She inspires young women in Nigeria and beyond, proving that no profession, no matter how male-dominated, is off-limits to women who are determined to break barriers.
Additional reporting by Ishioma Imokhai-Bello.
