International Women’s Day: Regional Manager-South Domestic Operations, Arik Air

In line with the international women’s day today, Sunday March 8, Mamaj Aviation Blog is celebrating some leading women holding her own in the Aviation industry in Nigeria and Africa, whose story will inspire women out there…These are women who are the power behind the scenes, pushing boundaries and leaving a mark!

The International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  The campaign theme for 2020, is #EachforEqual.

Meet the Regional Manager-South Domestic Operations, Arik Air.

Please introduce yourself. Your name, where are you from and current position in your organisation.

My name is Adaobi Obialo-Molokwu, from Imo State and currently Regional Manager-South Domestic Operations, Arik Air.

What inspired you to venture into the Aviation industry?

I was intrigued with the airline industry.

Give us a brief career history. What schools did you attend?

I had my first degree in English from Imo State University and pursued my Master degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from UI. I Started my airline career with the defunct Bellview Airlines as a Passenger Service Officer in 2005 and left in 2006 to begin a brand new airline with Arik Air as a duty manager and has since risen to the position of Regional Manager first on the CWA for 05 years then to the south domestic enjoying a career in aviation for the past 15 years.

Was it a dream actually or you stumbled into it?

I stumbled into it. Walking past Bellview Towers on Opebi in 2004 and upon investigation,i learnt they were recruiting. I applied and made it all the way, That was my first window into aviation.

How many years have you spent in the industry?

15 years.

What is your lowest moment in your Career history?

I can speak of two and they were both wrong misconceptions. But my experience with a passenger on LOS-JFK that violently broke a partitioned office window while holding a 4 years old baby on his other arm and how this same passenger cried abuse by the airline directly instigation his venom towards me when by his actions, he was the cause of his agony but decided to run to social media to extract sentiments against myself and the airline.

What is your most memorable moment?

Like adrenalin, I constantly enjoy memorable moments, in that, any time I satisfy a guest, or I’m able to salvage difficult situations for a guest and give a memorable exit service, I record it always as my high as it is indeed a feeling you cannot equate.

How have you been able to balance your work life and family?

I am a single parent with a daughter currently in Afe Babalola University studying Mechatronic Engineering. So I have managed alright.

What challenges have you encountered on the job and on your journey to the top, especially as female?

As a female, I can say without bias that I did not have sexist challenges in this industry rather, political challenges. During my journey from DM to SM, I was passed twice due to internal lobbying which I chose not to be a part of. I want always for my work to speak for itself and it did. Through the mouth of captains and concerned parties, I was the only option sought after to bring sanity to our domestic operations at the GAT.

What advice do you have for the aspiring young women out there who may want to tow your line?

My advice to women seeking to tow this part in their career plan is this; see yourself first as a professional then a woman. If you’re a sound professional and between you and an equally male counterpart vies for the same position, the scale tends to tilt towards you because you are a woman. So you have an advantage. Don’t deny yourself that capacity by placing your womanhood first.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Minister for Aviation.