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Aanuoluwapo ‘Annie’ Ojewunmi: The Airplane Girl

Aanuoluwapo ‘Annie’ Ojewunmi: The Airplane Girl
Breaking Barriers in Nigerian Aerospace
Aanuoluwapo ‘Annie’ Ojewunmi, a 24-year-old aircraft technician at Nigerian airline Air Peace, is widely recognized as the "Airplane Girl" for her pioneering role in a male-dominated industry. In Nigeria, where only 25% of women in tertiary education pursue STEM subjects according to UNESCO, Ojewunmi’s journey stands out as a testament to determination and passion. Despite neither of her parents having a STEM background—her mother works in the arts and her father in commerce—they encouraged their children to pursue careers in science and technology. Ojewunmi’s mother, in particular, had an intuition that she was destined to be an engineer, while her father had hoped she would become a doctor. Her siblings have also followed diverse professional paths, with two brothers in medicine and software development, and a younger sister studying food engineering.
Ojewunmi’s fascination with aerospace was sparked by growing up beneath an airport flight path. Encouraged by her older brother, she developed a curiosity about how planes functioned and what they did. Although she admits that engineering is a demanding field and that she initially struggled academically, an internship at Arik Air solidified her commitment to aviation. This experience marked a turning point, despite the challenges she faced, including confronting gender bias early in her career. During her internship, her eligibility for a training flight was questioned—a doubt she believes would not have been raised had she been male.
Career Progression and Future Aspirations
Currently specializing in wheel and brake maintenance and non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, Ojewunmi is focused on advancing her expertise. She aspires to pursue a master’s degree, potentially in aircraft propulsion, and to gain international work experience. Aware of the additional hurdles she may face abroad due to her identity as a black woman, she prepares herself mentally for encounters with racism and discrimination. Ojewunmi acknowledges that she represents a minority within a minority and understands the complexities of navigating such challenges.
Despite these obstacles, her career continues to flourish. She recognizes that Nigeria’s aerospace infrastructure, training opportunities, and technology could be enhanced, which fuels her ambition to work overseas. Beyond personal advancement, Ojewunmi is deeply committed to giving back to her community. As Team Lead of the Young Aerospace Professionals Initiative, a mentorship program for engineering students and young professionals, she serves as an ambassador for Nigerian aerospace. Her goal is to bring back knowledge and experience to support the development of the country’s next generation of aerospace engineers and the broader maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector.
Mentoring has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Ojewunmi’s career, reflecting her dedication to fostering growth and opportunity within the industry.

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