Meet Captain Hayes: Nigeria’s first commercial pilot

Captain Robert (Bob) Bione Hayes occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s aviation history as the first indigenous commercial pilot. His pioneering achievements opened the door for generations of Nigeria aviators and marked a significant milestone in the development of the nation's civil aviation industry.

Early Life and Education
Born in 1935 to a British father and a Nigerian mother of Itsekiri heritage, Hayes spent his early years in what is now Delta State. He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School, Sapele, before proceeding to Government College, Warri (now Government College, Ughelli), where he received his secondary education.

As a young boy growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, Hayes developed a fascination with aircraft. Living in Sapele, he often watched Royal Marine aircraft and personnel operating in the area. These experiences sparked a dream of becoming a pilot at a time when such ambitions were uncommon for Nigerians under colonial rule.

During school holidays, Hayes frequently visited the Benin Aerodrome, now known as Benin Airport, where he spent hours observing aircraft land and take off. His curiosity about aviation grew stronger with each visit. He also became a regular user of libraries, reading extensively about aviation and exploring opportunities to enter the profession.

Hayes developed a fascination with aviation while growing up in Sapele during the early 1950s. Watching Royal Marine aircraft and personnel sparked a dream of becoming a pilot at a time when aviation in colonial Nigeria was almost entirely dominated by the British. Despite the barriers facing Africans in the profession, he remained determined to pursue a career in flying.

During school holidays, Hayes frequently visited the Benin Aerodrome, now Benin Airport, where he watched aircraft take off and land. These visits strengthened his passion for aviation. He also spent time reading about the Royal Air Force and aviation careers in public libraries, hoping to one day fulfil his ambition.

Pursuing the Dream of Flight
Following a competitive selection process involving interviews and assessments, Hayes was chosen as one of three Nigerian students awarded scholarships to train as pilots in the United Kingdom.
On 9 August 1953, he departed Nigeria for Britain to begin professional flight training.

Whenever he travelled to Lagos, Hayes visited the Civil Aviation Department, where he met Wing Commander Coleman, then Director of Aviation Services. After listening to the young man's aspirations, Coleman advised him that Nigeria was planning to train indigenous commercial pilots and encouraged him to pursue that opportunity instead of joining the Royal Air Force.

Following a rigorous selection process, Hayes became one of three Nigerian students awarded government scholarships to train as the country's first generation of commercial pilots. On 9 August 1953, they departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom to begin professional flight training at the Hamble School of Flying in Southampton.

After nearly two years of intensive instruction, Hayes achieved a historic milestone in May 1955, when, at just 20 years old, he became the first Nigerian to earn a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). The achievement marked the beginning of indigenous commercial aviation in Nigeria.
He returned to Nigeria in June 1955 and joined the West African Airways Corporation (WAAC), the regional airline established during the colonial era.

His success demonstrated that Nigerians could excel in a profession previously reserved almost exclusively for expatriates and helped pave the way for the eventual growth of Nigeria's aviation sector.
Captain Hayes witnessed the transformation of Nigerian aviation from the colonial period through independence and beyond. His career remains an enduring symbol of perseverance, determination, and the breaking of racial and institutional barriers in one of the country's most technical professions.

Training in Britain
Hayes attended the prestigious Flying School at Hamble, Southampton, England. The training was rigorous and demanding, requiring mastery of navigation, aircraft operations, meteorology, aviation regulations, and practical flying skills.
His determination paid off.

In May 1955, at just 20 years old, Robert Hayes earned a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), becoming the first Nigerian to achieve this distinction. This achievement marked a major milestone not only in his personal life but also in the development of Nigerian  aviation.

Career with West African Airways
After completing his training, Hayes returned to Nigeria in June 1955 and joined the West African Airways Corporation (WAAC).
WAAC was one of the principal airlines operating in British West Africa and later became an important foundation for the development of Nigeria's aviation sector.
As Nigeria’s first indigenous commercial pilot, Hayes demonstrated that Nigerians could successfully compete in a field previously dominated by expatriates. His success inspired many young Nigerians to consider careers in aviation.

Historical Significance
Captain Hayes’ achievement came during the final years of British colonial administration, when Nigerians were increasingly demanding greater participation in professions and institutions that had long been controlled by foreigners.

His qualification as a commercial pilot represented more than a personal accomplishment. It symbolised the growing capacity of Nigerians to take leadership roles in highly technical and specialised fields.
Today, Nigeria has produced thousands of pilots, aviation engineers, air traffic controllers, and airline executives. Hayes’ pioneering role remains an important chapter in that story.

Later Life
Captain Hayes spent decades contributing to aviation and remained a respected figure within the industry..On 13 May 2021, he celebrated his 86th birthday. Reports indicate that he has lived in England during his retirement years, where his remarkable contributions to Nigerian aviation continue to be recognised.

Legacy
Captain Robert Bione Hayes is remembered as: Nigeria’s first commercial pilot. One of the first Nigerians trained professionally as a pilot abroad. A pioneer who helped break racial and colonial barriers in aviation. An inspiration to generations of Nigerian  aviators.

His journey from a young boy watching aircraft in Sapele to becoming Nigeria’s first commercial pilot remains one of the most inspiring stories in the history of Nigerian transportation and aviation.

He has since lived in England, where he remains recognised as one of the true pioneers of Nigerian aviation and a trailblazer whose achievements continue to inspire aspiring pilots across the country.