By Uriel Ihotu
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken a landmark step toward gender inclusivity, officially absorbing its first-ever cohort of Ex-Junior Air Women (Ex-JAWs) as Airwomen.
This historic move, announced by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Ehimen Ejodame, marks the extension of the NAF’s Absorption Policy—previously reserved for male graduates of the Air Force Military School (AFMS), known as Ex-Junior Air Men (Ex-JAMs)—to include female graduates from the Air Force Girls’ Military School (AFGMS).
According to Ejodame, the policy expansion paves the way for young women to pursue careers as Non-Commissioned Officers in the NAF, opening new opportunities for service, education, and professional growth.
The first beneficiaries are members of the AFGMS Class of 2017, who completed their studies in August 2023. Following a competitive selection process, these trailblazing women commenced and successfully completed the 2024 NAF recruitment training at NAF Base, Kaduna. Today, they proudly don the Air Force uniform, signaling a new era of gender equality within the service.
Beyond military enlistment, the policy offers Ex-JAWs access to the NAF’s broad spectrum of training programmes, enabling them to build careers founded on pride, discipline, and empowerment.
Reflecting on this milestone, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said:
“This is a moment of triumph for every girl who has ever dreamt of wearing the uniform. It reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment to empowering young women and promoting equal opportunities for all.”
Air Marshal Abubakar also highlighted the enduring impact of AFGMS, noting that over the past 39 years, the school has produced more than 3,500 graduates who have excelled across the Armed Forces, government, academia, and the private sector.
As these pioneering Airwomen step into their new roles, they carry a legacy of excellence—and a powerful message: gender is no barrier to leadership, service, or nation-building. They are not just part of history; they are redefining it.
