International women’s day: meet Captain Ladi Ogun of Green Africa

Today is the international women’s day.

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 International Women’s Day 2022, is: #BreakTheBias

In line with the international women’s day, Mamaj Aviation blog is celebrating some leading women holding their own in the Aviation, travel and tourism industry in Nigeria. These are women working assiduously behind the scenes, pushing boundaries and leaving a mark!  Women, whose stories will inspire you…

Please introduce yourself, your name, where are you from and age

My name is Ladi Ogun, line Captain, Green Africa, I am from Ebelle, Edo state, though i was born and i grew up in kaduna, hence my name; Ladi.  I was born on sunday ( as ladidi). It’s safe to say my parents are from Edo and i am from kaduna. i know mamaj will beat me once she hears this. lol).

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

I schooled in kaduna for my earlier education. Thereafter, I went to NCAT, zaria, to join the flying class however, the class started years earlier and a different qualification requirement at that time. I ended up studying flight operations/ dispatch to understand the pilot flight training syllabus to give me an edge when I go to a flying school, so I did.

My first job as a pilot was with my sponsor, flying the b727-200 cargo for DHL/Allied air as Nigeria’s first female Cargo Pilot.

Pilot courses are quite expensive. How did you cope? Was it a dream actually or you stumbled into it?

It was my dream to fly however, my dad wanted me to study medicine. I looked up to my cousin who was an Air Force Pilot. I wanted to be like him, so I opted for commercial flying since females were not accepted into the Air Force as pilots then. At the time they did, I was already a senior first officer.

Captain Val Tongo saw my application for sponsorship at NCAA with the former director of training; Captain kiddie dare, and sponsored my commercial pilot training and type rating as well as giving me my first job.

How many years have you spent in the industry?

 Total of 17 years and 11 years as a pilot

What is your lowest moment in your career history?

When i experienced Emotional bullying at work.

What is your most memorable moment?

Actually, the day i passed my commercial multi engine line check with captain Araba. he told me ‘’congratulations, you make a very good pilot.’’ I felt so proud of myself.

Congratulations on your recent promotion as captain. Coming through the ranks to get here, is obviously not a walk in the park. What challenges have you encountered on the job and on your journey to the top, especially as a woman?

Thanks ma’am. Well, as a woman, proving yourself to be as competent as a man without seeking sympathy for being a woman was tough. The delay in my upgrade coupled with an upgrade training that started in another airline but was cut short as a result of company financial restructuring was hard.

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

Believe you can do it and seek strength from God always.

 Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years

Definitely helping other younger pilots in training and non-technical skills training.