Tolulope Arotile: Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot
Tolulope Arotile was a Nigerian female Air Force officer who made history as the first female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria. Born on December 13, 1995, in Kaduna State, Nigeria, Tolulope had a passion for flying from a young age. She attended the Air Force Secondary School in Kaduna and later gained admission to study Mathematics at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.
Early Life and Education
Tolulope Arotile was born to the family of Akintunde Arotile, a retired Air Force personnel, and Mrs. Arotile, a teacher. She grew up in a military cantonment in Kaduna State, where her father worked. Tolulope attended the Air Force Primary School and later the Air Force Secondary School in Kaduna. She was an intelligent and hardworking student who excelled in her academics and extracurricular activities.
After completing her secondary education, Tolulope gained admission to study Mathematics at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna. She was one of the 55 cadets who were admitted into the Nigerian Air Force in 2011. Tolulope was an outstanding cadet who won several awards during her training, including the prestigious Sword of Honour for the best overall cadet in academics, character, and leadership.
Military Career and Achievements
After completing her training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Tolulope was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Nigerian Air Force in September 2017. She was posted to the 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, where she underwent her Basic Flying Training on the Augusta 109 Power Helicopter at the International Helicopter Flying School in Enugu.
Tolulope’s exceptional performance during her training earned her a place in the history books as the first female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria. She was later deployed to the North-East to join the fight against insurgency in the region. Tolulope flew several combat missions and provided air support to ground troops in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.
Tolulope Arotile’s military records and reputations include:
| Military Records | Reputations |
|---|---|
| First female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria | Exceptional performance during training |
| Several combat missions flown | Provided air support to ground troops in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists |
Personal Life
Tolulope Arotile was a private person who kept her personal life away from the public eye. It is not known if she was married or had any children. However, she was known to be a dedicated and hardworking officer who was passionate about her job.
There are no records of Tolulope Arotile’s cars and house. However, as a serving officer in the Nigerian Air Force, she was entitled to several benefits, including accommodation and transportation.
Net Worth
Tolulope Arotile’s net worth is not publicly known. However, as a serving officer in the Nigerian Air Force, she was entitled to a salary and several benefits, including accommodation, transportation, and medical care.
As of August 2020, the exchange rate for the Nigerian Naira to the US Dollar is approximately 1 USD to 380 NGN. Therefore, Tolulope Arotile’s net worth in USD, CAD, GHS, KES, ZAR, UGX, and INR are:
| Currency | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| US Dollar (USD) | Unknown |
| Canadian Dollar (CAD) | Unknown |
| Ghana Cedi (GHS) | Unknown |
| Kenya Shilling (KES) | Unknown |
| South Africa Rand (ZAR) | Unknown |
| Uganda Shilling (UGX) | Unknown |
| India Rupee (INR) | Unknown |
Awards and Nominations
Tolulope Arotile was a recipient of several awards during her short but illustrious career in the Nigerian Air Force. Some of her awards and nominations include:
- Sword of Honour for the best overall cadet in academics, character, and leadership
- Best Flight Student in the Primary Flying School
- Best Rotary Wing Student in the Basic Flying Course
- Chief of the Air Staff Commendation Award for her exceptional bravery and service to Nigeria
Tolulope Arotile’s death on July 14, 2020, was a great loss to Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force. She will always be remembered as a trailblazer and a hero who served her country with distinction.
