Tolulope Arotile: Ahead of her time

“And in the end, it’s not the years in you that counts. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln


The shocking news of the untimely death of the young promising Air force combat helicopter pilot was not a pleasant news for the Air Force and the country at large. We should all take solace in the exaltation word of encouragement above by the legendary Abraham Lincoln.

It was a sad Tuesday evening, 14th of July when the news filtered in that the young lady Tolulope Arotile who made the whole country proud just less than a year ago as Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot is no more. Death being a necessary end for all mortals is not in contest, but the circumstance. According to the Nigerian Air Force, she died as a result of head injuries sustained from an accident at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna. The fact that she did not die in the course of duty, up there in a fighter-plane or manoeuvering against the turbulence of the cloudy sky, but down here as a voiceless victim of a car accident in Kaduna makes it all the more heart-rending.

According to media reports on the circumstance of her death, she had just returned from ‘Operation GAMA AIKI’ in Minna, Niger State when an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate saw her strolling and reversed his car to greet her. That move proved fatal as his car pushed her down and crushed part of her head! How tragic! In her short but impactful stay, young Arotile made the nation proud, having achieved a feat in the 55 years existence of the nation’s Air Force. She was instrumental in the fight against insurgency, especially in the North Central States by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

Born on December 13, 1995, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Akintunde Arotile, native of Iffe area in Ijumu Local Council of Kogi State, attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 to 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna from 2006 to 2011, before gaining admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, as a member of 64 Regular Course on the 22nd September 2012. She was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on September 16, 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Arotile was selected to train at the Starlite International Training Academy, in South Africa, following her performance during her initial flying training course at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna. As at October 15, 2019, she had acquired 460 hours of flight within 14 months in helicopter.

The late officer was decorated as the first female fighter helicopter pilot the Nigerian Airforce has had in 55 years; the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. (Dame) Pauline Tallen and Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar performed the decoration in October 2019. In one of her interviews, Arotile said she joined the Nigerian Air Force out of a passion for the job. “I joined the military simply out of passion for it. Being a military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional.”

Unfortunately, she passed on eight months after she was commissioned as Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot. Arotile holds a commercial pilot license and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy. In February 6, 2020, she introduced the newly acquired Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, during their induction ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Siddique Abubakar in his tribute to one of his own described Arotile as a disciplined, intelligent and courageous officer whose loss is irreparable for the force. The CAS submitted that the late 23-year-old officer was a shining star.

“I was heartbroken when I received the sad news of the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile yesterday in Kaduna,” his tweet read. “Tolulope, who was winged in October 2019, as the first female NAF combat helicopter pilot, was one of our shining young stars,” he added. According to the CAS, Arotile added value where she served as Squadron Pilot in Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State, adding that she was eager to contribute to the fight against banditry and terrorism in the country. “I recall meeting her at the Minna Airport, while on operational visit, after one of such missions and seeing her eagerness to contribute towards the restoration of lasting peace to the affected areas. Her death is a huge loss to NAF family and indeed the entire nation,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari in his tribute expressed deep pain over the death of Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, the first Nigerian female combat helicopter pilot. Buhari condoled with the family on the loss of such a promising officer, whose short stay on earth impacted greatly on the nation, especially in peace and security.

The President saluted Arotile’s bravery in the field to protect the country from onslaught of bandits and terrorists. He gave an assurance that her memory will be indelible, and her efforts remembered. President Buhari commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased. He recalled her deft skills in manoeuvering combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride. The President sympathised with the government and people of Kogi State on her loss.

President Buhari prayed that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family she left behind. According to the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, “It’s with a heavy heart that I received the news of the demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female Nigerian Airforce Combat Helicopter Pilot. I condole with her family, the Nigerian Airforce and the country over this irreparable loss. The deceased was an intelligent young woman, a huge potential, a representative of both Nigerian women and youth, and what they could achieve.

In her tribute, Tallen, who decorated the late Arotile on the day she was inaugurated as a combat pilot, wrote on her Twitter: “It is with shock, sadness and deep sense of loss that I received news of the ghastly departure of Flight Officer Tolulope Arotile. I and indeed, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs are in mourning. Arotile was determined to be a distinguished Officer; she was an impressive young woman. I wish her family and loved ones, peace and comfort. I pray for the repose of her soul.” Also, tributes have continued to pour in from women led groups, advocates and Civil Society Organisations, describing the late Arotile as a pride to the Nation’s female folk, who proved that more young women and girls can achieve their dreams and tread parts known to be male dominated. She will be buried on Thursday, July 23, with full military honours.