The History of Aviation in Africa: The Legacy of Captain Robert Emmanuel Hayes

At the beginning of air travel, it was a mystical and unattainable concept in Africa. Former South African President Nelson Mandela wrote in his book, “Long Walk to Freedom”, about his apprehension when he saw his first black pilot in the cockpit of the plane that was flying him. This encounter took place in Ethiopia and left Mandela skeptical about the pilot’s ability to safely transport them. This was the power of aviation at the time.

In Nigeria, air travel was equally shrouded in mystery. This is why there is an outpouring of praise for Captain Robert Emmanuel Hayes, the first indigenous pilot in Nigeria. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday in London, where he currently resides, surrounded by family and friends. However, his accomplishments were celebrated back home in Nigeria as well. Captain Hayes was the first Nigerian to open the eyes of his fellow countrymen, proving that they too could become pilots and command aircraft.

During a time when Nigeria’s leaders were focused on liberating the country from colonialism, it was unheard of for a black man to be in the cockpit of an aircraft. However, Captain Hayes had a dream to become a pilot, despite the odds. Flying was a British monopoly at the time, with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) leading the way. But in 1955, Captain Hayes became the first Nigerian to receive his pilot certification, five years before Nigeria gained its independence in 1960.

Born on May 13, 1935, in Benin City, present-day Edo State, Captain Hayes attended St. Patrick Catholic School in Sapele, Delta State, and Government College in Warri (now Government College, Ugheli) also in Delta State. It was during his teenage years in Lagos that he developed a keen interest in flying after watching Royal Marine officers in action. He initially wanted to join the Royal Air Force, but after meeting with the Director of Aviation Services, Wing Commander Coleman, he was advised to pursue a career in civil aviation. At the time, the Nigerian government was already making plans to train young Africans as pilots.

Captain Hayes, along with two other Nigerian students, Joseph Ajakaye and Samuel Ohioma, left the country in 1953 to train as the first set of Nigerian pilots in Britain. They underwent training at the Flying School in Hamble, Southampton.

In May 1955, at the age of 20, Captain Hayes became the first Nigerian to be certified as a pilot with a Commercial Pilot License. He then returned to Nigeria the following month to join the West Africa Airways Corporation (WAAC).

At that time, the young Nigerian pilots in WAAC were only allowed to fly as co-pilots on local routes alongside British and European pilots. They operated B170, B114, and B104 aircraft.