PHOTOS: NAF inducts first set of ex-JAWs as air women to promote gender inclusion

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has integrated the first set of ex-junior air women (Ex-JAWs) into its ranks as air women.

In a statement issued on Monday, Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesperson, said the development marks a historic moment as the air force extends its absorption policy to include female graduates from the Air Force Girls’ Military School (AFGMS).

Ejodame noted that the absorption policy was previously limited to graduates of the Air Force Military School (AFMS).

He added that the pioneering set consists of graduates from the AFGMS class of 2017, who graduated in August 2023.

He said their selection followed a stringent process where they underwent the 2024 recruitment training at NAF Base in Kaduna after which the female staff joined the NAF as non-commissioned officers.

Ejodame said the policy revision not only offers ex-JAWs a direct pathway to military service but also provides access to educational and professional development through the NAF’s training programmes.

He quoted Hasan Abubakar, the chief of the air staff (CAS), as saying that the integration is a moment of triumph for every girl who has ever dreamed of wearing the uniform.

“It is a testament to the Air Force’s commitment to empowering young women and ensuring equal opportunities for all,” he said.

“Over the past 39 years, AFGMS has produced more than 3,500 graduates who have gone on to lead in various sectors, including the Armed Forces, government, academia, and other corporations.

“As these trailblazing women assume their roles, they not only carry a legacy of achievement but also convey a powerful message that gender is no barrier to excellence, service, or nation-building. They are not just making history; they are rewriting it.”