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Thursday 24 July 2014

Meet Nigeria's youngest pilot - he's only 19!

According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Daniel Adeyileka (pictured above) is the youngest pilot in Nigeria.

He was born in 1995 in Newcastle, England and had his primary and secondary education in Scotland then came back to Nigeria to do his A-levels. At 17, he proceeded to Delta Flight school in Texas, USA, where he obtained his Private Pilot License (PPL) and his International General Certificate of Secondary Education. He is currently a First Officer.

#Beinspired. You're never too young to pursue your dreams. Read more about Daniel after the cut...




Kindly do a little bit of introduction?
Daniel AdeyilekaMy name is Daniel Adeyelika; I was born on the 6th of February 1995 in Newcastle, England. I have spent most of my life in the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Nairn, Scotland and other countries abroad. I had my elementary education in Rose Bank Primary School, Nairn, Scotland, from there I moved to Grantown Grammar School also in Scotland where I completed my secondary school. In 2008, I came back to Nigeria and enrolled into Avicenna International School, Ikeja, GRA. I finished in 2009. I equally obtained my A-Levels in Greenville School, GRA. It was right after my A-Levels that I went straight to flying school in America

Where did you train?
I did my flight training in Texas, Dallas with Delta Flight School for nine (9) months. I knew I went there for a reason and not to play, I needed all the concentration, I go to school from Monday to Sunday. My Private Pilot License (PPL) was for one and a half month and my International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) was for three years.

During your training, were you teased for being the youngest in your class?
I was never teased but I was the youngest in my class and got along with everybody but there was a time I could not write certain exams due to my age, there were restrictions. I was asked to wait until I turned 18 years before I can do my commercial, so I was just reading all through those periods.

What were your challenges during training?
The challenge basically was when I was sent to Amsterdam for my Type Rating, it was really the toughest period I cant lie to you because it was not an easy task. I actually thought I was going to fail because I was the weakest in the class at the beginning but I came top of the class at the end. I kept telling my self “I can do it.” God really saw me through. The exercise lasted for one month. The challenge basically was when I was sent to Amsterdam for my Type Rating, it was really the toughest period I cant lie to you because it was not an easy task. I actually thought I was going to fail because I was the weakest in the class at the beginning but I came top of the class at the end. I kept telling my self “I can do it.” God really saw me through. The exercise lasted for one month.

What is your present position?
In the cockpit I am a first officer but salary level is second officer but it doesn’t really matter.

On which aircraft are you type rated?
A.Boeing 737 600 series to 900 series.

153 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG! I will be cool if people start calling me 'LIB Princess' pretex4luv@yahoo.com

BONARIO NNAGS said...

Nice one.
Was expecting to hear he had his education in Nigeria, coz there's no way incessant strikes would av allowed him achieve such.

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA

PURPLE said...

U sure say ur hand don strong?? No go carry plane come crash kill pple o. I no fit shout

Alloy Chikezie said...

Wow! This is great, the sky is his starting point


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Anonymous said...

Awwwww... he's Such a Cutie!!

Unknown said...

Choi!! Dis is my age mate ooo! #runsaway

Anonymous said...

#inspiring...

Unknown said...

Had to comment again.... Smh, dis cud have been me but..... #inspired #iwillsuceed

#king said...

great story..already a pilot at a tender age..morale of d story is with money evri tin happens fast..assuming dis dude was born in a poor home he wont b able to achieve half of all dis..moni ova evritin..#moneyFirst.......................................#KingOfKings

Anonymous said...

Dear unborn child,. I try to make it big @a young age but failed due to nigeria factor,. Take a note from dis young man,. Make it big while u are young, and make mum proud!.. #teamchris

Mo said...

I am so proud of him. Pls note he spent most of his life outside Nigeria. Pls 1ce this BH thing is solved. We really need to improve on our education sector and provided proper career counselling for secondary school students and also encourage development of talents.

Anonymous said...

Very good more grease to ur elbow. It is good to start early. Imagine at the age 19 he is a pilot already. keep it up. By dobis 112

Esther said...

Rili nice! Cgestheruko@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL... LINDA MORE OF THIS KIND OF STORIES PLEASE.. ENUFF WITH THE DEATH STORIES

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL... LINDA MORE OF THIS KIND OF STORIES PLEASE.. ENUFF WITH THE DEATH STORIES

Anonymous said...

Good and talented boy. I like your style, more grease elbow IJN.

Bonita Bislam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Bottom line,you're never too young or old to pursue
your dreams.
Cooldavoe@yahoo

Anonymous said...

Grenville though very expensive is absolutely one of the best schools.. Glad my daughter is there

Juliebabe said...

Wow!! that's gr8t to hear

Anonymous said...

Wow just wow! I love hearing achievements like this...
rudegehl89@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Dts cool

NaNcY DreW said...

Yh yh he didn't skul in 9ja dats Y

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh I know that guy Daniel. He is a first officer in Arik Air. He flies so well. He flew me on two occasions to Accra and Abuja. Such a pleasent boy with good English.
Boy has a very bright future ✈#fineboy

Anonymous said...

WOW!GOD BLESS UR HUSTLE UVE MAKE US PROUD BOY GOD BLESS U REAL GOOD.

ary said...

he schooled abroad, that's a big plus for him. if he had schooled here, he would be 30 b4 he sees the inside of a cockpit

Anonymous said...

Great feat. But Linda you just read all these were made possible because the facilities to attain such heights were made available for him "OUTSIDE" the shores of Nigeria. He was able to harness his potential. I doubt his chances of making it thus far if he were to be born and bred in this olodo of a country. "Kicks the ground in disgust.".

Anonymous said...

dats cool...youngest pilot

Dan Skila said...

Wow that's cOol, but you look older than 19

Danskila1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This princess girl I hope all is well.....make e no be like say na crase don start as play so....

Anonymous said...

Awwww such a good news,my son will be next

Bold Kid said...

na jand him grow na...cos in naija it will be hard oo

Anonymous said...

wooow,in Hon Patrick's voice," am menianically bewildered" Dearfuturekids, hope u can read this, u av to do better than your Mum and Dad

Anonymous said...

cutie kor Cutie ni.he looks much older Dan his age .Congrats thou........Miss Richytimi .

Unknown said...

Nice! Dis are stireis I love to hear!#greataccomplishments#

Amarachukwu. said...

Wow! That's good but I hope he is strong enough to control flight?before he go carry people go...

Anonymous said...

Wow dats cool y we can't fine such tin is bcos our parent love controlling marydanladi180@gmail.com

Unknown said...

How is he a Nigerian pilot when he was born in England and school in both UK and US? Nigeria loves to claim good child that they do not produce.

Unknown said...

This dude is really 19??!! kudos sha!!

Anonymous said...

this is great. Am sure your parents are proud of you

tsw said...

Bia, Linda you forgot to post his phone numbers and email address.

Im waiting

Anonymous said...

Madam linda am also d youngest plumbing engineer,am 20.FRANKISE SAID SO

Anonymous said...

This one dey chop fertilizer. Why so big? Its good to hear though

Nneka said...

Lol. Ina ezukwadi ike dis boi!

Nneka said...

Chineke!!!! Dis grl ka na akokwa rubish a ebe. Bia, onwedi ihe na emedi nwata nwanyia bikonu.

Nneka said...

Onye nkea akoro ba 18.
Just congratulate him.

Nneka said...

Go answer princess for ur village na. Watin dey worry u!!!
Ina apudi ara.

Nneka said...

Chineke!!!! Dis grl ka na akokwa rubish a ebe. Bia, onwedi ihe na emedi nwata nwanyia bikonu.

Nneka said...

Lol. Ina ezukwadi ike dis boi!

Bianca Bruno said...

Witch na home trouble dey worry u? Who dash u lib princess? Abeg go look bush.
So dis nigga says he finshd secondary sch @ age 13 fa?
There is God oh. Keep lying.
Linda as mondy and tuesdy is pub hols increase d giveaway money to 400k na. So more persons go get free cash to groove d Ed El filtri/kabir me included.
Wink wink

Anonymous said...

Awwww I know Dan... Such a nice boy

Anonymous said...

19 years kwa...if he is 19, that means BONARIO is still a sperm swimming to meet the egg.

APPLE said...

Congratulation.

Angie said...

Good; it's about time... Something positive about Nigeria for a change.
Congrats to him and a big one to his parents for the follow up.


* My R1.50c comment *

Unknown said...

Wow....so young! good for him

Unknown said...

GREAT DUDE.

K-REX said...

God will continue to uplift you my brother. We are so proud of you.

Anonymous said...

Dis is grt,wisH dat 4 my son,nt me nw cos nija strike don add 2 my carrier,soo wIsH my son culd Be d youngest in any proffesion He follows.......*MaMa Timi*.

obietrezy said...

cute guy.. wishing you the best.

Unknown said...

Oooooow God has bless u my dear ,am so happy for u

KWEEN said...

If he was inexperienced, do you think he would have had the nerve to broadcast this to the general public?

Unknown said...

Dis is reli cool tnk God he schd outsyd if nt all dis strikes ll have kept him longer till 29

KWEEN said...

Awesome achievement for someone so young. He's surely going places.

KhaYordeh_IV said...

Cool...

Anonymous said...

MICKY: nyc 1 dude

Anonymous said...

there are lots of young pilots in Nigeria, some started flying at 18 and this was even years ago. I know of 2 female pilots who got their license at16 but were not allowed to fly till they became 18.

Anonymous said...

U are a big fool!!!

charity said...

He's cute

Unknown said...

Hi Purple, that was cold!
Give the lad some credit.
Need I state the obvious?
He has achieved a prodigious feat
which some of his peers who literally live on the internet for the wrong reasons,
would never dream of.
Moreover, past and recent air mishaps have never been linked to age.

Focus, conscientiousness and competence are prerequisites for success.

It doesn't matter if yours is a small task.
Just keep a positive & healthy mind.

Captain mazi said...

Charlie papa my nigga!!!!!

Anonymous said...

So impressing!! @bonario..stop underrating ur country in d present of outsiders nw. Haaba, dere is God oo
...Bianca T...

Anonymous said...

So impressing!! @bonario..stop underrating ur country in d present of outsiders nw. Haaba, dere is God oo
...Bianca T...

Anonymous said...

Very cool....i'm guessing he skipped some classes,cos if u were born in 1995 and entered primary school at 5 den u shuld have graduated in 2011 against the 2008 written above.....its all good,inspired nonetheless.....

Anonymous said...

So impressing!! @bonario..stop underrating ur country in d present of outsiders nw. Haaba, dere is God oo
...Bianca T...

Anonymous said...

Danielllllll !!!!!!!!! Proud of u baby
Ada 😘

Unknown said...

choi 19rs adonbilivit...... am 2 yrs older dan him nd i will easilly call him uncle........ nice one bro, hmmmm age aint no limit to attain greatness and achieve ur dreams #AmInspired

Her Exellence said...

Please your above 19 years please brother

Ehimakonor said...

Thank God for your life o. You for come uniben or delsu abk make all dose demon prof neck u x tension. Well u try e nor easy but ur bear bear plenty for ur age shall

Anonymous said...

Can Jamal read dix n jst shuuuuuuuuuutttt up..

Anonymous said...

Yes I know this Boy. He is a first officer at Arik Air. He flew me on 2 occasions. Accra and Abuja. He flies sooo well and his landings are great. Such a pleasent humble with a warm heart. Don't know if you remember me, Mr Bankole that gave you his number

Unknown said...

Me self Na 19

Anonymous said...

Na our oga pikin be this o

Anonymous said...

Nice one

flexycouture@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Dis mad girl wey dey find make dem dey class her princess well at all go ur papa village go dey answer princess na abi join marine spirit ewuuu....u beta park well...if to say my papa get money like dis boy papa get I for dey 15yrsdey rule America....kudos to him joooor e try

Unknown said...

Onyx na ur age mate no mean say na ur set...u beta park well go join modeling like u set dem

Anonymous said...

The ish is would he work in Nigeriaks aviation industry? @Fortunedexcel

Unknown said...

bravo dude

Unknown said...

nice 1

maris said...

Stop famzing the boy joor

Unknown said...

Mr bankole I remembers u .....I will likes u if u gives me yours numbers again. #yimu#

Unknown said...

chai! if only our papa and mama have money maybe we libers would have finished at 18

Anonymous said...

I feel like a waste of flesh. At 19 I wasn't even in university yet.

Unknown said...

Wow, dats a gud 1

Anonymous said...

Well done Archiver. (Linda's Man)

Anonymous said...

Daniel acted as my school father in my fathers school Grenville schools ,and was known for being a dreamer and achiever and I'm proud of him,congrats.

Anonymous said...

But u dey here dey run homo package. #beinspiredstraight

Unknown said...

#Beinspired ABI??? FOR NAIJA??? WITH ALL THESE CORRUPT LEADERS? HE SAID HE WAS BORN IN SCOTLAND!!! NOW THAT CIVILIZED COUNTRY WHERE A KID CAN CHOOSE WHAT TO BECOME IN FUTURE! BUT FOR NAIJA I'M SORRY TO SAY - THRE'S NO FUTURE. I SAID SO-

Anonymous said...

@kginvestmentltd@gmail.com... there's no limit 2 what u can achieve with GOD#BOB

Steveosky 4 Real. said...

Oh shut up it could be anyone. The last time I checked people's destiny differs .!! King of demons

Anonymous said...

So why is Nigeria claiming this guy again? He was born in the UK. He was trained in the US. Wetin be the connection abegi other than his name? Did Nigeria aviation contribute to his education? Famzing buruku
- Ajala

Unknown said...

Nice point dude. Abroad life is faster... Inspiring Daniel!

SVC said...

Good News! Exceedıng Grace! IT İŞ WELL

Unknown said...

Nice point u made here @ King

Anonymous said...

19years with such beards. Please

Anonymous said...

19years with such beards. Please

Anonymous said...

19years with such beards. Please

Unknown said...

Please are you Isiaka @Mo

Unknown said...

Nice point u made here @ King

Anonymous said...

Mumu learn to put God first in all u do. Its nt all abt money money money

Francis said...

My friends younger brother a few years ago was certified a pilot @ 19 so he definately isn't the first.

Anonymous said...

ehn ehn 12 ni...This n!gga look 24-25

Anonymous said...

congrat to him...nkemdirimeverista111@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Very impressive. Must be a genius to have completed secondary at 13 in England. You do not get that too often.

Unknown said...

... Did you Note one inspiring word there? " I can do it" always say that to yourself, not minding should you be from a poor background.Just believe in yourself first, then in ability and others will believe in you. inspiredmimi2@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This mumu Ela person just shut up! Insulting and judging every1! Mschewww!

Anonymous said...

U dis ela, it's lyk u want to take over from willy moses as mbgeke of dis blog abi? Jst spitting igbo everiwia. Please shut up nd go back to ur village.

Unknown said...

Wow wow congrats 2 u.

dhobiz said...

Very good one,I'm inspired

Anonymous said...

Madam Ela igbo monger #Hian

Anonymous said...

This is a cheering news, at least, in the face of (daunting) BH menace! Attaining this height, at this young age, is a grand attestation that anything is possible with focus and resources.
--- Anonymous

Anonymous said...

But ass poking no let u read book

Unknown said...

wow..thats so nice bur he looks kinda older though..@ella nneka ur a clown, cant stop laughing...dnt mind dat yeye princess she's simply seeking for attention

Unknown said...

Great..


C.E.O

Anonymous said...

Oh boy i doff my cap 4 u onyekababyface@gmail.com

Unknown said...

If he schooled in nigeria,he woudnt have gotten this far. STrike upon strike

PURPLE said...

Ok mummy. Hez experienced

Anonymous said...

19 ko? 19 ni, my grand father nah 12. Mtchews, ds old man of 34, go nd sit down.

Anonymous said...

good for him..patoswife@gmail.com

Ms Abi said...

@ Bonario I found your comment thought provoking. I had to do a little research myself and found this. Thought it was worth sharing.
http://www.channelstv.com/2013/04/30/sam-phil-ebosie-not-favour-odozor-is-nigerias-youngest-commercial-flying-pilot/

Anonymous said...

Congrats boy. That's a good one. Congrats also to Engr. Ben Adeyileka (NCAA Ag. DG) your dad who encouraged you to achieve this feat.
May God take you to greatest heights

Anonymous said...

He is 19 becos uk don't forge birth certificate.

Unknown said...

Am really happy for him, to be the youngest pilot at this age, i believe there are still lot more u will still achieve.
u are not too small to achieve your dream in life.

nice one

Unknown said...

Very nice. ..I love stories like dis but am sure he is from a rich home, and ermm he still talks like a kid..congrats

Events, Cars and Life Style said...

hey!!! u na see mumu abi? this bros na him be 19? tah!

Events, Cars and Life Style said...

hey!!! u na see mumun abi? this bros na him bi 19 abi? tah

Events, Cars and Life Style said...

hey!!! u na see mumu abi? this bros na him bi 19? tah

Anonymous said...

Y these ibo tribalist hating cos he's Yoruba. ...no good thing comes out of their stupid mouths. ..if na ibo boi come n c igbo kwenu this ibo kwenu dat...fools

Anonymous said...

Omg omg I met daniel on an Abuja flight, I need to Marry this boy,,, so cute and firm. Linda u need to post his number

MY TURN said...

good for him but what airline does he fly make i avoid am on my next trip

Anonymous said...

Big Lie! Williams Terkuma Anaka is the youngest at 18. He schooled here in Nigeria and it's on record. Yoruba people and promotions. We know.

Anonymous said...

LIBers the boy is actually 19. I know him personally. His dad the acting DG of NCAA, is an aircraft engineer....congrats boy!

Anonymous said...

Rotflmao.....

Anonymous said...

Linda u well...don't u see his background-USA,UK,SCOTTISH.Make he come try am for 9ja make I know weather n only him waka come....Beside not his real age

Anonymous said...

I know the boy personally. His Mum is on TV all the time teaching Etiquette and his dad is High up in aviation. He is 19 but he is big 4 his age, maturity is a gift, all the people that are writing negative comments. You are just jealous because when you were 19 you were selling groundnut to pay for your jamb exam. God bless you Daniel and don't mind all these stupid people

Bony bony said...

Congrats love

Unknown said...

I tap ιηтσ this grace for my excellent кι∂Ñ• Amen

LEEZ said...

Congratulations...

LEEZ said...

Loool abi oo @Bona

Anonymous said...

congrats to him justina4gold@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Nice one. try not to get a job with Any of Nigeria's domestic airlines o.(that's if you want to live long).
Anyways, i trust Delta Air will not release u since u trained with them.

ZeeZee said...

Wow I am inspired - come and marry me oooo

Anonymous said...

I can bet it with anything. If nah naija this boy school. nah bicycle e for dey ride by now. being a pilot for me like dream and impossibility.

Unknown said...

He schooled in Nigeria as well, where do you think Avi-cenna is? Nigeria of course< 6 Harold shodipo crescent GRA, Lagos, behind police college> Dan i am so proud to be your Geography teacer at avi-cenna (www.avi-cenna.com) check us out. Israel Olaoluwa

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