NCAA Grants UAS Operator Certificate to Mekatron & Persones, Authorises Drone Operations in Nigeria
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has presented an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Certificate (UOC) to Mekatron & Persones, formally authorising the company to commence Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations in Nigeria.
The Agency made the announcement on its Facebook page, indicating that the certificate was handed over during a ceremony held recently at the Authority’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
The presentation was led by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo.
Speaking at the event, Capt. Najomo congratulated the company on successfully completing the certification process, describing the seamless exercise as a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business in the country.
He noted that the issuance of the certificate demonstrates the NCAA’s dedication to fostering growth within the aviation sector while ensuring that operators adhere to the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance.
The DGCA further assured that the Authority would continue to strengthen its surveillance and monitoring mechanisms to guarantee sustained compliance with established regulations and operational requirements by certified operators.
Responding on behalf of the company, the Accountable Manager of Mekatron & Persones, Ambassador Haliru Bello Dogondaji, expressed gratitude to the NCAA for what he described as a professional and transparent certification process.
He commended the regulatory team for its support throughout the exercise and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.
According to him, the company would ensure that the certificate is utilised responsibly and effectively in line with the applicable regulatory framework governing unmanned aircraft operations in Nigeria.
Ambassador Dogondaji was accompanied at the ceremony by the Managing Director of the company, Miss Fatima Zarah Bello.
Also present at the event were senior officials of the NCAA, including the Director of Airworthiness Standards and Chairman of the Flight Standards Group, Engr. Godwin Balang; the General Manager, General Aviation (Operations), Capt. Maikano Wilson Tijo; the Deputy General Manager, Air Traffic Management (ATM), Mr Bakam Amin Baranzan, as well as other members of staff.
The issuance of the UAS Operator Certificate marks another step in the development of Nigeria’s emerging drone industry, with the NCAA continuing to expand regulatory oversight aimed at ensuring safe, secure and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the nation’s airspace.
