NIGERIA’S FIRST FEMALE PILOT
Chinyere Kalu is the first Nigerian female commercial pilot. She served as the rector and chief instructor of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology between October 2011 and February 2014.
A native of Ukwa East in Abia State, South-East, Nigeria, Kalu had her secondary school education at Anglican Girls Grammar School, Yaba, Lagos State, before she trained as a private and commercial pilot in 1978 at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
She subsequently took several aviation and transport courses in the United Kingdom and the United States before she received her license as a commercial pilot on May 20, 1981, from the College.
Her contribution to the development of Nigeria aviation industry has not gone unnoticed and has earned her numerous awards, amongst which are:
Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) 2006; Member, Nigerian Women Achievers HALL OF FAME; African International Achievers’ Merit Award 2007; Rare Gems Professional Achievements Award 2007; Member, Nigeria’s 50 Greatest Women of Democratic Administration of Ghana 2012.