Captain Evarest Nnaji advocates STEM education, mentorship and scholarships to expand opportunities for girls in the aviation industry.
By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, Captain Evarest Nnaji, Group Chairman of OAS Helicopters, has called for greater investment in education, mentorship and professional training to encourage more girls to pursue careers in aviation.
Nnaji said the major challenge facing girls interested in aviation was not a lack of ability or ambition, but limited access to the opportunities and support needed to transform their aspirations into successful careers.
In a message marking the occasion, themed “Empowering Every Girl Child Today for a Brighter Tomorrow,” the aviation executive stressed the need to dismantle stereotypes that discourage girls from entering traditionally male-dominated professions.
“The sky was never reserved for anyone,” he said, urging stakeholders to create an environment where girls could see aviation as an accessible and achievable career path.
Breaking Barriers to Aviation Careers
According to Nnaji, careers such as piloting, aircraft engineering and air traffic control have long been perceived as male-dominated, a perception that can discourage girls from exploring opportunities in the sector.
He noted that limited exposure to women already working in aviation could also make it difficult for young girls to envision themselves succeeding in the industry.
He therefore called for greater representation of women in aviation and improved access to professional role models who could inspire girls, build their confidence and help them understand the requirements for entering the sector.
“At OAS Helicopters, we see what aviation demands every day: discipline, calm under pressure, technical mastery, teamwork. None of these qualities is gender specific,” Nnaji said.
He explained that the qualities required to succeed in aviation were equally important in leadership, business and community development, adding that expanding opportunities for girls would deliver benefits beyond the aviation industry.
STEM Education, Mentorship Key to Progress
The OAS Helicopters chairman emphasised the importance of introducing girls to aviation opportunities early in life, particularly through access to quality education and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes.
He called for sustained efforts to keep girls in school and encourage them to develop an interest in technical subjects that could prepare them for careers in aviation and other specialised fields.
Nnaji also advocated connecting girls with aviation professionals through mentorship programmes, industry visits and practical exposure to aircraft hangars, airport terminals and other aviation facilities.
According to him, such experiences would help girls understand the industry’s operations, explore available career options and identify the qualifications and training required to pursue their ambitions.
He further highlighted the importance of scholarships and structured training programmes to support girls in progressing from the classroom into professional aviation careers.
Industry Stakeholders Urged to Take Action
Nnaji urged aviation companies, educational institutions and other stakeholders to move beyond general declarations of support for girls’ empowerment and invest in practical initiatives that provide access to education, professional guidance and technical training.
He maintained that girls should be encouraged to choose careers based on their interests, abilities and ambitions rather than being restricted by traditional gender expectations.
“A brighter tomorrow is not delivered by chance. It is airlifted there, one deliberate choice at a time,” he said.
He reaffirmed the need to create an enabling environment where girls could acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence required to compete for opportunities in aviation and other professional fields.
As the world marks the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, his message is that expanding access to education, mentorship, scholarships and practical training can help more girls see aviation not as a distant dream, but as a career within their reach.
Tags: OAS Helicopters, Captain Evarest Nnaji, girls in aviation, girl-child education, International Day of the Girl Child 2026, STEM education, women in aviation, aviation careers, gender equality.
