International women’s day: Air Traffic Controller/ Air Safety Inspector

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, 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 our female Air Traffic Controller/ Air Safety Inspector.

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

My name is Kate Nnanna- Ibemgbo, I am an Air Traffic Controller/ Air Safety Inspector with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA).

I worked with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA) for 11 years as an Air Traffic Controller and rose to the post of Chief Principal Air Traffic Controller at the Murtala Mohammed Airport before joining the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as an Air Safety Inspector in March 2018 till date.

What inspired you to venture into this once male dominated Career?

My venturing into this field i have come to love, was by a stroke of luck or more like an act of GOD. My husband (fiancé then) was the one who saw the advert in the Tuesday Guardian ( you know it was the bible of any job applicant back in our days). He read through and said he knew it is a field i will do well and applied for me and like they say… the rest is history and here we are today.

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

I attended the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) staff school Ile- Ife in the then Oyo State till my primary 5 and then the Akanu Ibiam Federal  Polythechnic Staff school, Uwana, Afikpo in Ebonyi State because we relocated. I had my secondary school at the prestigious Marist Comprehensive Academy (MCA) in Uturu Okigwe, Abia State founded by the Marist Brothers and i must say that is where the foundation of who I am today was laid. I had my university education at the Madonna University, Okija Anambara State where I majored in Computer Science.

I obtained my Diplomas in 1. STANDARD AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL – 2007  2. AREA AIRWAYS PROCEDURAL CONTROL COURSE – 2015 and 3. TERMINAL / AREA CONTROL RADAR COURSE – 2019 at the prestigious NIgerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT ) Zaria.

How many years have you spent in the industry?

This year 2020, has made it 14 years of working as an aviator and i am still growing and learning from my frontliners and those who started before me and hoping to impact on those coming after me.

What is your lowest moment in your Career history?

My lowest moments were when I had to juggle, taking care of a sick son and my job and being told to make a choice between my job and my son. It was a close call, but thank God for his mercies I am still standing strong.

What is your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moments were when I passed my abinitio course being heavily pregnant with my first son. Getting my ratings when I was pregnant with my second son and each time i got promoted (who does not love successes?)

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

Life as a working mum of 3 healthy boys has not been peachy perfect, but my support group has been awesome… My mum, God bless her heart has been of huge help. I just love that woman, my hubby, siblings and everyone who has pitched in at one time or the other. I try as much as possible to be involved in my children’s life as much as I can. getting them ready for school cooking their meal everyday ( I do not like them eating from the school cafe), bathing them, doing their home works with them , hanging out as much as the Lagos traffic can permit and making sure i am there for them generally as much I can. They grow so quickly and in a blink of an eye they are no longer your “babies”.

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

In any male dominated fields, as a female you have to work almost twice harder. Funny as it may sound in my profession it is almost like a Para military but with subtle gender undertones. All i did was be diligent, respectful, know my boundaries between office and personal life and trust in God who gives all grace and strength.

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

My advice to any young aspiring lady out there is to never stop BELIEVING, never stop WORKING and never stop TRYING even when you fail, get up and try again. Keep your eye on the prize which is a life of fulfillment doing what you love and i assure you that those stumbling blocks will become stepping stones to greater heights.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years I see myself pointing the way to many ladies as they climb the ladder of success and career growth. I see myself making an impact in this industry in my own little way so that aviation in Nigeria will be an equal playing field for all gender because together we are stronger.