Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Musayeroh Barrie, has reflected on her unconventional rise through the aviation industry, highlighting resilience, continuous learning and the courage to embrace unexpected opportunities as essential ingredients for professional success.
Musayeroh Barrie, the first woman in Sierra Leone’s history to head the country’s civil aviation regulatory authority, said her experience demonstrated that academic qualifications and initial career choices should not determine the limits of a person’s ambition.
Her aviation journey began in 2013 when she encountered an aviation security service provider operating at Freetown International Airport under a British company. Although she had no previous experience in the sector, she recognized the opportunity and applied for a position.
Musayeroh Barrie was initially employed as an office assistant, performing mainly administrative duties. However, the position became her entry point into aviation and sparked an interest in airport security operations.
Rather than remaining confined to her assigned responsibilities, she began researching aviation security, learning from experienced colleagues and participating more actively in operational activities. Her growing interest, commitment and willingness to accept new responsibilities enabled her to move into an operational role within two years.
Musayeroh Barrie subsequently pursued professional qualifications in aviation security, including Aviation Security Levels 1, 2 and 3. She also obtained additional professional certifications and training as she developed her technical knowledge and practical experience in the industry.
After spending approximately six to seven years in aviation security operations, she rose to the position of Operations Director. She was later promoted to Country Manager after about eight years in the sector.
According to Musayeroh Barrie, managing airport security operations exposed her to Government meetings, regulatory engagements and high-level discussions involving key stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s aviation industry.
That experience, she said, provided an important foundation for her current leadership responsibilities at the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, although becoming a senior aviation regulator was never part of her original career plan.
Musayeroh Barrie explained that her decision to enter aviation was initially motivated by the opportunity to work in Sierra Leone. What began as an employment opportunity gradually developed into a genuine passion and a long-term professional commitment.
Following approximately 10 to 11 years of experience and development in aviation, she was identified and appointed by President Julius Maada Bio to serve in Government as Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority.
Reflecting on her academic background, Musayeroh Barrie disclosed that she studied psychology but refused to allow that qualification to restrict her career options.
She acknowledged the importance of education and theoretical knowledge but argued that individuals should remain willing to explore opportunities outside their original fields of study.
To complement her aviation experience and professional certifications, Musayeroh Barrie later obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration, strengthening her knowledge of business management and organizational leadership.
She described her career as unconventional because it combines academic education, hands-on aviation security experience, specialized professional training and management responsibilities.
Musayeroh Barrie also spoke about the difficulties she encountered after returning to Sierra Leone following an extended period abroad. Despite being Sierra Leonean by birth and having Sierra Leonean parents, she said she was sometimes regarded as an outsider and initially struggled to reintegrate into society.
Separated from her immediate family support system, she was compelled to establish new professional and social networks independently. She said the experience strengthened her resilience and prepared her to confront the pressures associated with leadership.
According to Musayeroh Barrie, stereotypes and societal prejudices continue to create barriers for women and young people, who are often required to overcome negative assumptions before being allowed to demonstrate their abilities.
She said becoming the first female Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority carried both historical significance and the responsibility to create opportunities for others.
Upon assuming office, Musayeroh Barrie said she challenged entrenched bureaucratic practices and “business as usual” attitudes to promote a more inclusive and effective approach to leadership and institutional management.
She called for honest national conversations about the ways cultural practices can either support or restrict the participation of women and young people in leadership.
Musayeroh Barrie maintained that culture should promote inclusion rather than exclusion, particularly in a country where women account for nearly half of the population. Preventing women from participating fully in leadership and decision-making, she argued, deprives Sierra Leone of valuable knowledge, talent and human potential.
She encouraged women and young people not to allow academic backgrounds, conventional expectations or societal stereotypes to define the boundaries of their ambitions.
Musayeroh Barrie said her journey from office assistant to aviation regulator showed that careers do not always follow predetermined paths. She stressed that practical experience, continuous education, professional development and the confidence to embrace unexpected opportunities can open doors to positions that may initially appear beyond reach.
