The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has presented a drone pilot training certificate to Arco Aviation Academy to train drone pilots as well as regulate drone operations in the country.

The Director-General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, while handing over the certificate to the Managing Director of Arco Aviation Worldwide, Okosubide Mozimo, tasked the firm to become a regulator of drone operations in Nigeria.

He said: ’Drone technology is becoming popular globally, and with the proliferation of drones in Nigeria, it is important that you become the eyes and the ears of NCAA.”

He mentioned that capacity has been an issue in drone operations in the country, saying the milestone positions Arco Aviation at the forefront of capacity building in the unmanned aviation sector.

According to the DG: “Drones are the way to go, given the critical roles they now play in many areas of human activities. This is a new beginning and a pioneering step. You’ve gone through a lot. The certificate we’re giving you is not just a recognition; it’s a call to maintain high standards.”

He emphasised that maintaining the certificate would require strict compliance with NCAA regulations and promised continued surveillance from the Authority.

The Managing Director of Arco Worldwide Services said the approval for the take-off of the academy would save the company capital flight used for sending pilots abroad, as they can now train the pilots in Nigeria in Naira.

He said: “There was a time we spent between $20,000 and $25,000 per pilot for training overseas, in the U.S., Dubai, South Africa. That meant dealing with forex instability, visa delays, and logistics.”

“With this certification, all of that will now be done here in Nigeria, in naira. This is a big win for our company, for the economy, and for the youth,” he stated.

Mozimo said this has been a vision since 2016. “We’ve logged over 9,500 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight hours, particularly in monitoring oil and gas pipelines for theft and vandalism. Drones are already revolutionizing sectors across the globe, and Nigeria must not be left behind.”

With the official approval, Arco Aviation Academy becomes the first institution to receive this kind of certification in Nigeria, heralding a new era in local drone technology, innovation, and job creation. In addition to the existing Academy in Port-Harcourt, the MD said that there was a plan to expand to Lagos and Abuja. (The Guardian: Text, Excluding Headline)