In a field traditionally dominated by men, Captain Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo has achieved remarkable success as Nigeria’s first female Boeing 787 pilot. Flying long-distance routes for Qatar Airways, her story exemplifies how hard work, focus, and support can help overcome gender barriers.
At just 31 years old, Captain Adeola is making history by being the first Nigerian woman to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This advanced aircraft, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 0.85 (approximately 1,024 kilometers per hour), is piloted by Adeola as she safely transports 250 passengers globally.
Her journey to becoming a Dreamliner pilot was marked by determination and passion. Born on October 16, 1990, in Kaduna, Nigeria, Adeola faced challenges including religious conflicts during her schooling years. Despite these obstacles, she completed her secondary education at First Baptist Model High School in Kaduna in 2007.
Following secondary school, Adeola began a pre-degree course at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Oyo State, but her passion for aviation led her to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria. She completed her training from 2009 to 2010 and furthered her studies at Sunrise Aviation Inc. in Florida, USA.
Returning to Nigeria, Adeola launched her flying career with Medview Airlines in Lagos in 2013, starting as a First Officer on Boeing 737 planes. She was soon promoted to pilot the Boeing 767-300ER. Her significant breakthrough came in 2018 when she joined Qatar Airways as the first Nigerian woman to pilot the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Captain Adeola’s career has included transatlantic flights with the Boeing 767 and domestic flights on the Lagos-to-Abuja route for Qatar Airways. She is part of a pioneering group of African female pilots, including Chinyere Kalu, Nigeria’s first female commercial pilot, and Asli Hassan Abade, Somalia’s first female aviator.
In addition to her professional achievements, Captain Adeola is a devoted wife and mother. She married Seun Funmi Olamilekan Sowemimo on April 22, 2017, and manages both her career and family life, demonstrating that it is possible to excel in both realms.