“My parents didn’t want me to do this” – Lady who is now a Successful Pilot shares her story

A US-based Nigerian lady, Miracle Izuchukwu, has disclosed how she became a professional pilot in America after leaving Nigeria years back.

In an interview with BBC, Miracle said she traveled to the USA some years ago to study nursing not knowing that God had other plans for her.

Although she initially wished to be a pilot, her parents were against it and her dad warned her saying if he enters any plane and a lady is a pilot, he will cancel his flight.

In her words: “I never knew I wanted to become a pilot. Everyone was like “No, you can’t do that, women aren’t supposed to fly.

“My dad basically told me that if he sees a female pilot flying a plane, he’ll get off that plane.

“But right now they are so proud of my achievement. My mum is getting phone calls from everyone in Nigeria.

“Right now they are proud, but I feel like I would have really appreciated it if they showed up when I needed them.“

The brave lady told BBC Igbo that she never wanted to be a pilot, but a Nurse, a career her mum believes is the easy route to success.

“I initially came to the United States to pursue nursing as a career because my mum told me that it was a path to follow if I wanted to succeed in the United States.

“I didn’t think about becoming a pilot till I met a professional pilot, who basically put the idea into my head to go on a discovery flight.

“So I went on a discovery flight and that sealed it for me.“

The lady further revealed that her parents didn’t want to financially support pilot dream because it didn’t seem possible.

Narrating her story she said: “Coming back home, I told my parents, no one wanted to support me financially.

“So I started researching how to find the means to do it without my parents. And that’s when I looked up some students loan.“

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Due to financial problems, it took Miracle two years to get her Commercial Pilot license, something that could have taken 6months.

“I will say it took me longer, I started in early 2020, and this is 2022.

“The average cost of flight school is $70,000 to $100,000 (over N50m). I didn’t have the means to do it. So every time I get a license, there is this roadblock, I stopped, save up, get some money again, then continue, stopped, just like that.

“If I had all the funds available, it would have taken me shorter, say six months. But if you don’t have the funds, it takes longer. I have seen people who it took 10 years.

The lady also added that aside from the finance, another thing that could extend the pilot process is the rate of understanding of what is being taught.

Miracle said that though her parents tried discouraging her at first, she believes they were just trying to guide her properly as they never knew it would be possible.

Adding that now her parents are so proud of her achievement, saying her dad calls her every day, asking her about the next thing forward.

Miracle who said she is now qualified to fly in Nigeria revealed that she got discouraged by her parents because they believe the country is not safe.

Advising those who want to do something huge or significant, Miracle said: “Perseverance is the word, and that’s the only way I’m here today. Just keep going and everything will pay off.“

READ ALSO: 17-Year Old Makes History, Becomes Licensed Pilot Before Graduating High School

CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Tori