NAF Immortalises Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot: Tolulope Arotile

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has honoured the memory of its late Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Arotile, the country’s first-ever female combat helicopter pilot, by naming the Pilots’ Crew Room at its combat helicopter base after her.

Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, speaking at the naming ceremony, described the gesture as part of the NAF’s longstanding tradition of immortalising personnel who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.

“The objective has always been to acknowledge the contributions of our personnel towards securing the country, while ensuring that they and their sacrifices remain forever fresh in our minds and indeed in the minds of Nigerians,” he said.

Reflecting on the occasion, the Air Marshal shared a mix of emotions about dedicating the facility to the late officer, who tragically died on 14 July 2020 at the age of 24.

“I muse over the fact that we are also here to name one of these projects, the Pilots’ Crew Room, after one of our departed colleagues, late Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Arotile… This moody feeling is however made lighter by the fitting memorial of having this Crew Room here at NAF’s home of combat helicopters, named in her honour,” he added.

He emphasised that immortalising Arotile was not only to preserve her legacy but also to inspire the next generation.

“In immortalising Flying Officer Arotile today, we are not only hoping to honour her memory but also to further inspire young girls in Nigeria to be motivated to study, work hard and to pursue their dreams and legitimate aspirations with pride and honour.”

Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the achievements of other trailblazing female officers in the NAF, noting that the force has produced distinguished pilots such as Flight Lieutenant Liman, the first female pilot to fly the sophisticated Falcon 7X aircraft in the NAF inventory, and Flying Officer Sani, the first and currently only female fighter pilot in the service.

He urged young Nigerian girls to aspire to careers in the Nigerian Air Force, stressing that there are no limits to what they can achieve.

“There is no limit to what they can achieve,” he said.