Nigeria: FG hails NCAA’s new drone unit as visionary step towards enhanced UAV regulation
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has established a dedicated Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) unit to enhance the regulation and management of drone technology in the country.
This initiative has been lauded by the federal government as a visionary step that will accelerate the country’s ability to control and coordinate the burgeoning use of drones.
The Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, recently emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting the unit by providing necessary training and manpower development.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, Keyamo highlighted the importance of the new unit during the 4th Drone Tech Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos.
“The establishment of this unit is timely and essential,” Dr. Meribole said during his tour of the NCAA drone portal and the inauguration of the UAS Integration Unit at the NCAA’s headquarters in Lagos.
“We will ensure its success by making provisions for training and manpower development, enabling the unit to effectively oversee drone operations across the country,” he affirmed.
Dr. Meribole called for collaborations with key stakeholders and emphasised the need to leverage technology to achieve the unit’s vision.
He also commended Captain Chris Najomo, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, for his leadership and foresight in driving this initiative.
During the event, Dr. Meribole responded to the challenges faced by the unit’s staff, particularly regarding the need for training. “I have heard all your requests and challenges. One of the takeaways is that you need training. We will explore resources to support this,” he assured.
He also highlighted the importance of technology in simplifying processes, enhancing collaboration, and identifying unregistered operators to prevent unauthorised drone activities. “Local law enforcement will also have to play a role in this,” he added.
Bukola Teriba, the Regional Manager for Lagos at NCAA, praised the development of the Part 21 regulation document for drone operations, stating it benefits not only the NCAA but also the broader aviation industry.
“The vehicles are mystic in the sky, and their regulations are crucial for the aviation sector,” she remarked.
NCAA Assistant General Manager for Licensing and UAS, and representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Panel, Collette Onyeulo, stressed the readiness of the CAA to address the growing number of license requests.
She disclosed that following the establishment of the unit, the NCAA has already received over 300 applications for UAV certification, underscoring the rapid growth and interest in drone technology in Nigeria.
“Currently, we have over 300 applications for drone licenses. It’s a significant task,” she noted.
Onyeulo highlighted the need for support in creating robust regulations and a user-friendly portal to manage drone operations.
“We need resources, time, energy, and overwhelming support. A portal will help streamline procedures and ensure we have all necessary data on operators,” she explained.
She stressed the importance of training and hands-on experience for the unit’s inspectors.
“We need to see how drone operations are managed in other countries to adopt best practices,” she concluded.
The establishment of the NCAA’s dedicated UAS unit represents a forward-thinking approach to integrating and regulating drone technology in Nigeria, promising enhanced safety, efficiency, and innovation in the sector.
