Mamaj's Aviation Blog Travel News, Events, Trends, Jobs, Gossip and Inspiration
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 2023, is #DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
In line with the international women’s day, Mamaj Aviation blog is celebrating some leading women holding her own in the Aviation, travel and tourism industry in Nigeria, whose story will inspire women out there…Women who are working assiduously behind the scenes, pushing boundaries and leaving a mark!
1. Please introduce yourself, your name, where are you from. Give us a brief career history. What schools did you attend?
My name is Comfort Sunday Ayhok. I hail from Jos, Plateau state Nigeria I went to the prestigious Airforce institute technology kaduna. Earned a Higher National Diploma in Aircraft Engineering Technology avionics option. A post graduate diploma in aerospace design and also got my Aircraft Maintenance Engineering license from the Nigerian civil aviation authority (NCAA) .
2. How many years have you spent in the Aviation Industry? Pursuing a career as
maintenance engineer which was once a male dominated field , what challenges did you face?
I had a stint time as a technical assistant in my alma mata working on drones fabrication and coupling, before moving to mainstream maintenance proper the past 3yrs and counting as a type rated maintenance engineer on the Embraer 145 aircraft and also a Certifying Engineer currently at United Nigeria Airlines.
As a flight maintenance engineer I would say my major challenge getting here was funding as aviation is quite expensive and equally setting the bar so high for myself that sometimes I caved into the fear of imposter syndrome. But with each passing day I told myself I had everything it takes to thrive in the industry regardless of how male dominated the industry is, I just have to put my best foot forward each day, do my best at all times and soar, while enjoying a cup of tea and admiring my flowers. after all the sky is big enough for everyone to fly in.
3. What is your most memorable Career moment?
I wouldn’t say I’ve had a most memorable moment because each day is memorable and special doing what I love best. But if I’m to pick, it will be every time a passenger points at me to their young daughter/son and says, you can be an engineer just like her too. it is both humbling and exciting to know that just by existing and thriving in my career I am a source of inspiration for younger ones coming up and nothing can be more magical.
4. What challenges have you encountered on the job and in your career journey, especially as a woman?
The major challenge I’ll say is asserting myself on the job and not cowering to the narrative of just being a pretty face on the line . From a class of 54 students both military and civilians in my first year in school and being the only girl actually helped groom me to be better prepared to survive the aviation turf, while setting positive boundaries for interaction and learning .
5. With reference to this year’s campaign theme, what is your opinion about “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” How can you relate this to Aviation?
Innovation and technology with reference to gender equality is truly a blessing , because with innovative technologies women get to achieve great results on the field without expending too much energy nor physical strength to achieve same results as our male counterparts which we would naturally have been limited due to our fragility. Innovation and technology sure is a game changer and welcome development for growth and progression up the echelon of our careers as women.
6. What advice do you have for the aspiring young women out there who are aspiring to become flight Engineers?
To the young women out there aspiring to be flight engineers. I’ll tell you this; It’s doable, it’s liberating and above all FUN as there’s never the same day on the job. If you are curious, have zest for problem solving and adventurous then by all means hop on board and enjoy the flight. Always remember to KEEP DREAMING IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE 
.
.7. Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
I see myself taking more roles in aviation while expanding my horizons on other frontiers of interest.
See you at the Top.
