In a field historically dominated by men, Captain Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo has made remarkable strides, becoming Nigeria’s first female Boeing 787 pilot for Qatar Airways.
Her journey exemplifies how determination, focus, and the right support can lead to groundbreaking achievements, regardless of gender.
At just 31 years old, Captain Adeola has made history by piloting the advanced Boeing 787 Dreamliner, capable of reaching speeds of over 1,000 kilometers per hour, safely transporting 250 passengers across the globe on long-distance routes.
Born on October 16, 1990, in Kaduna, Nigeria, Adeola faced challenges such as religious conflicts that caused her to switch between schools in Kaduna and Ibadan. Despite these obstacles, she remained committed to her passion for aviation, completing her secondary education in 2007 at First Baptist Model High School in Kaduna. She later enrolled in a pre-degree course at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) but soon shifted her focus to aviation.
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Captain Adeola’s formal aviation training began at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria from 2009 to 2010, followed by further training at Sunrise Aviation Inc. in Florida, USA. Upon completing her pilot training, she returned to Nigeria, starting her professional career with Medview Airlines in 2013 as a First Officer on Boeing 737 aircraft. Her career took off quickly, leading to her promotion to pilot the Boeing 767-300ER, and in 2018, she made a significant breakthrough by joining Qatar Airways as the first Nigerian female Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot.
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Her professional milestones are impressive, with transatlantic flights under her belt, and since 2020, she has been flying the Lagos-to-Abuja route for Qatar Airways. Captain Adeola joins the ranks of pioneering African female pilots, including Chinyere Kalu, Nigeria’s first female commercial pilot, and Asli Hassan Abade, Somalia’s first female aviator.
Beyond her aviation career, Adeola is a wife and mother. She married Seun Funmi Olamilekan Sowemimo in 2017, and they have built a family together. Despite the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life, Captain Adeola continues to excel in both areas.
Captain Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo’s journey is a testament to her perseverance and serves as a beacon of hope for young African girls, proving that with hard work and dedication, they too can break barriers and achieve their dreams. Her inspiring story continues to motivate others to strive for greatness, regardless of the obstacles in their path.