…as CAS reiterates that gender is no barrier to excellence, service, or nation-building
By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has officially welcomed its first set of Ex-Junior Air Women (Ex-JAWs) into its ranks as Airwomen, marking a significant milestone in the history of gender inclusion within the service.
This development comes as the NAF extends its Absorption Policy, initially designed exclusively for graduates of the Air Force Military School (AFMS), known as Ex-Junior Air Men (Ex-JAMs), to include their female counterparts from Air Force Girls’ Military School (AFGMS).
The policy review opens up exciting career opportunities for young women interested in serving in the NAF as Non-Commissioned Officers.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame in an official signed statement disclosed that the first beneficiaries of this transformative policy are the members of the AFGMS Class of 2017, who graduated in August 2023. According to the DOPRI, the selection process was a very rigorous one, after which these young women entered the 2024 NAF recruitment training at NAF Base, Kaduna, where they successfully completed their military training.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, expressed his vision, stating, “This is a moment of triumph for every girl who has ever dreamed of wearing the uniform.
It is a testament to the Air Force’s commitment to empowering young women and ensuring equal opportunities for all.” The newly absorbed Airwomen, shaped by the discipline and leadership instilled at AFGMS, are set to contribute significantly to the NAF and the nation.
The CAS noted that “over the past 39 years, AFGMS has produced more than 3,500 graduates who have gone on to lead in various sectors, including the Armed Forces, government, academia, and other corporations”.
As these pioneering women step into their roles, they carry with them not just a legacy of achievement but also the message that gender is no barrier to excellence, service, or nation-building. They are not just making history; they are rewriting it.
