Professional women in the aviation sector have been urged to advocate not only for safety in the skies, but also for sustainability in the workplace.
The former Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh, in his keynote address, which focused on ‘Work-Life Balance’, presented at the 2025 end-of-the-year event for Women in Aviation, held in Lagos, earlier in the week, said advocacy for sustainability at workplaces would lead to a stronger and more resilient industry.

Udoh maintained that while aviation is globally recognised for its strict adherence to safety standards and operational discipline, similar attention must be paid to the well-being of professionals who power the system.

“As women in aviation, we must advocate not only for safety in the air, but for sustainability on the ground. We must mentor younger women to pursue success without burnout and challenge workplace cultures that glorify overwork,” he said.

According to him, the aviation industry’s round-the-clock operations, high-stakes decision-making and demanding schedules place unique pressure on professionals, particularly women who often balance career responsibilities with family and community roles.

He warned that a culture, which equates sacrifice with competence, could lead to fatigue, stress and reduced productivity, factors he said ultimately pose risks to operational integrity.
Udoh emphasised the need to deliberately create healthier work environments that prioritise performance with purpose rather than performance at all costs.

He encouraged senior female professionals to serve as mentors and role models by demonstrating that excellence and well-being could coexist.

He further called on aviation organisations and leadership structures to implement supportive policies, including flexible scheduling, mental health awareness initiatives and inclusive workplace practices that enable women to thrive professionally without compromising their personal well-being.
He also canvassed collective responsibility among women in aviation to help reshape workplace culture by ensuring that future generations could pursue successful careers in the industry without sacrificing their health or personal lives.

Also, Ijeoma Chukwu, the Chairperson, Women In Aviation, Lagos Branch, in her welcome address, lauded the impact of women in Nigeria’s aviation industry, saying that their efforts had led to improved safety in the sector.
Chukwu also appealed to the management of various aviation agencies to engage more women in decision-making and to give them more tasks to perform.

She assured that females in the sector would continue to contribute their quota to the sector’s growth, but appealed to them to take their health seriously.

Also, the President of Women In Aviation, Nigeria, Rejoice Ndudinachi, said that the organisation was born not merely as an association, but as a movement, driven by purpose, resilience and the unshakable belief that women belonged in every part of the aviation ecosystem.

She expressed that the association that started in Lagos had grown into a powerful network of professionals, students and advocates with over 17 branches and 17 aviation clubs.

She added: “This branch has consistently led by example, through mentorship programmes, outreach initiatives, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Lagos has remained a beacon of what is possible when passion meets action.
“We must continue to prepare, empower and position ourselves not only to participate, but to lead. We must keep inspiring the next generation of girls to look up at the sky and see opportunity, not limitation.”

The Regional Manager, Lagos Region, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Olubukola Teriba, in her speech, said that the association was to empower women and men in Nigeria to achieve their aims.
Terbia advocated collaboration, rather than competition among professionals in the sector, stressing that through this means, the industry would witness accelerated growth.