Chief Dr Mrs Nkoli Imoh, popularly known as Adadioranma, has received the Mother of the Day Award at the 2026 Annual Conference of Women in Aviation International (WAI), Nigeria Chapter, held in Lagos.
The recognition celebrates her contributions to mentoring, supporting and empowering women and young girls, particularly in their pursuit of education, leadership and professional development.
The conference, themed “Clear for Take-Off: Engaging the Next Generation of Women in Aviation and Aerospace,” brought together women and stakeholders in the aviation industry to discuss opportunities for the next generation of female professionals.
Speaking at the event, Chief Dr Mrs Imoh highlighted the important role mothers play in shaping the ambitions and future of young women, particularly those aspiring to build careers in aviation and aerospace.
She noted that while much attention was being given to encouraging girls to become pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, dispatchers and aerospace leaders, the contributions of mothers who nurture and support their dreams should also be recognised.
According to her, behind every girl who eventually succeeds in aviation is often a mother who has helped prepare the ground for her to pursue her ambitions.
“There are women who watch planes take off. And there are women who clear others for take-off,” she said.
Imoh used the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Adadioranma Foundation to supporting girls with ambitions in aviation and other professional fields.
She assured participants that the foundation was willing to collaborate with Women in Aviation International, Nigeria Chapter, to develop initiatives that would empower the girl child and expand opportunities for young women across Nigeria.
She made the commitment while addressing participants at the conference, emphasising that more girls should be encouraged and supported to pursue careers traditionally dominated by men.
The philanthropist also reflected on her years of supporting young women, describing her role as extending beyond her immediate family to include those who have found in her a mother, mentor, counsellor and source of encouragement.
In her remarks, she said the Adadioranma Foundation had remained committed to raising individuals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
“Adadioranma Foundation did not just raise children, we have raised destinies. We do not just open doors, we cleared runways. We did not just watch dreams take off, we made sure they had permission to fly,” she stated.
She further emphasised the importance of motherhood and mentorship in building future generations, declaring that the influence of a good mother extends beyond her biological children to the wider society.
“The daughter of a good mother will become a mother to a generation,” she added.
Imoh’s recognition at the conference was greeted with applause as she was invited forward to receive the award.
The honour acknowledged her motherly influence, commitment to nurturing young people and efforts towards creating opportunities for women and girls to achieve their potential.
Her message also reinforced the importance of collaboration between women-focused organisations, foundations and professional associations in preparing young girls for leadership and careers in emerging sectors.
The 2026 Women in Aviation Nigeria Chapter conference provided a platform for discussions on the future of women in aviation and aerospace, with particular emphasis on inspiring the next generation to explore opportunities across the industry.
Through the Adadioranma Foundation, Chief Dr Mrs Nkoli Imoh expressed her readiness to continue supporting initiatives that promote the development of the girl child and encourage more Nigerian women to pursue their dreams.
Her emergence as Mother of the Day added another recognition to her public profile, highlighting the value of mentorship, philanthropy and the role of mothers in shaping future leaders.
Congratulations to Chief Dr Mrs Nkoli Imoh (Adadioranma) on the recognition.