International women’s day: Meet Omolara Arenyeka, Air Traffic Controller

1. Please introduce yourself, your name and where you are from?

I am Omolara Arenyeka. I am from Oyo State Nigeria. I am married with two children. I am an Air Traffic Control Officer working with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. I work at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos.

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

I attended Corona Primary School, Bukuru , Plateau State for my primary education. For my secondary school  education, I attended Baptist High School, Jos, Plateau State. I studied Geography at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Osun State, Nigeria. I also attended the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State from 2006 to 2007 in order to obtain my Diploma in Air Traffic Control. After my Diploma training , I was posted to the Murtala Mohammed International airport, Lagos for my on-the-job training (OJT) In Air Traffic Control (ATC), you must be trained and qualified before you are allowed to work independently which requires that you must pass your licensing exams which is overseen by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Five ATC ratings which
include Aerodrome, Approach, Terminal Radar, Area Procedural and Area Surveillance are required in your ATC license as one progresses on the job and I have been able to obtain all five of them. I have an MSc in Air Safety Management from City University of London. I also have a certificate in Accident Investigation from Scandinavian Aviation. I have a certificate on Search Mission Coordination from the East African School of Aviation in Nairobi, Kenya and a certificate on Safety Management Systems from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

3. How many years have you spent in the aviation industry? In Pursuing a career as an Air Traffic
Controller which was once a male dominated field, what challenges did you face?

Post NCAT Zaria, I have spent 16 years so far in the aviation industry as an Air Traffic Control Officer and I am presently a Deputy General Manager. ATC is still largely a male dominated field in Nigeria, but unlike when I started in 2007, when we were less than 10 female officers, today there are over 40 female Air Traffic Control officers in Nigeria. The examinations to obtain ATC ratings are very tough and the processes are very thorough. Each
rating obtained is imputed into your ATC licence. You spend months or even years preparing for each rating examination. The examinations comprise of written, oral and practical aspects of the job and overseen by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. This has been really challenging, but I made it successfully each time. There are continuous proficiency checks throughout one’s career unfit. Air Traffic Control Officer which is also challenging as well. One must live a healthy lifestyle as there are compulsory scheduled medical examinations which one
must pass or have one’s ATC licence withdrawn if medically unfit.

4. What is your most memorable career moment?

I have had several memorable moments. First on the list was when I was awarded my ATC license in 2008, that cemented one’s entry into ATC. Without the license there is no career. To obtain the license you must pass your fist two ratings. Only then can you progress to qualify for the other three ratings as the years go by.

Another one of my most memorable moments was when I was presented the ‘’Excellence Award’’ for
hard work and dedication from the Nigerian Airspace Management agency. Whenever I was promoted were memorable moments too.

5. What challenges have you encountered on the job and in your career journey, especially as a
woman?

There have been challenges I have had to face in the course of my career as a female ATCO. I remember that during pregnancy, one had to still report for night duties. I had to bring a medical report during my second pregnancy when my doctor saw it was affecting my health negatively, only then was I taken off night duty. Having young children can also be challenging especially when you have to keep medical appointments, attend school functions or when they suddenly fall ill.

One has to work extra hard to avoid male counterparts referring to your gender as an excuse for sloppiness. I believe I am at par with my male counterparts in terms of work efficiency as I work as hard as they do. Some time ago, I have had to exert my rights to one of my bosses after he assumed that I could not take a responsibility because I was a woman. I countered him and I took up the responsibility efficiently. I must also commend my bosses who always gave me leadership responsibilities in order to build my confidence. This has helped me tremendously and I hold my boss in high esteem.

6. With reference to this year’s campaign theme, what is your opinion about ‘’DigitALL: Inovation
and Technology for gender equality, how can you relate this to aviation?

In my opinion. I can relate this to aviation in the sense that digital exposure through the use of technology will avail females the opportunity to know more about careers in aviation regardless of where they may be located. This will give them the opportunity to weigh their choices and go for aviation careers of their choice through the information they obtain from digital sources like web pages and website, e–books, social media, electronic documents and many more. Women should not be restricted because of cultural differences from obtaining knowledge. Technology is fast becoming the new normal.

7. What advice do you have for the young women out there who are aspiring to become Air Traffic Controllers?

For aspiring young women who want to become Air Traffic Controllers, you must be prepared to study hard. You must know what you are getting into by researching on what ATC is all about in order to avoid a culture shock. Be prepared for constant proficiency checks throughout your career as there is almost zero room for mistakes. I must also mention to aspiring Air Traffic Controllers that we are hardly seen or talked about despite the very important role we play in air safety. Pilots are the ones you will always be in constant communication with.

8. Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

In a few years from now I see myself taking up more leadership responsibilities. I also hope to set up a consultancy in Air Safety related matters. I am still constantly gathering knowledge and experiences from various sources. This will give me a good head start in future endeavours.

9. What are your favourite hobbies?
l love to travel. I enjoy gardening, listening to music, reading and caring for my dog.