Young Nigerian Drone Innovator Appeals for Gov’t Support to Develop Tech Skills Abroad
A young Nigerian drone innovator, Ikechukwu Samuel Great, has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to sponsor his training abroad to enable him to enhance his technical capacity in drone technology and contribute to the nation’s technological advancement.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos during the recently concluded Drone Technology Conference organised by aviation expert Mr Fortune Idu, Great underscored the importance of acquiring international-standard training.
He said such exposure would empower him to further develop his drone-building skills and return home to transfer the knowledge to other aspiring innovators.
According to him, “When they train me outside, I will develop my skills, come back and build the country together. They can also finance me to build a bigger version of the drone.”
Ikechukwu, who has gained local recognition for his ingenuity in fabricating drones with locally sourced materials, expressed concern that Nigeria was lagging behind in drone technology, a critical sector he believes holds immense potential for national development.
“The country is behind and it cannot be hidden,” he remarked. “We have the endowment, but we need to work hard to develop drone technology so that we can counter any aggression at any time.”
He further explained that the global community is already deep into a drone technology revolution, with applications spanning across vital sectors such as military surveillance, precision agriculture, medical deliveries, and more. He stressed that Nigeria must not be left out of this innovation wave.
Reflecting on his journey, Great revealed that his passion for aviation began in childhood. Through self-initiated research and determination, he embarked on building his first drone shortly after completing secondary school in 2020.
While the early models experienced several crashes, he said these setbacks helped refine his skills. He also disclosed that he has worked on rotor engines as part of his efforts to improve drone performance.
The young innovator urged the government to either provide funding for international training or invest in the expansion of his local drone production efforts.
According to him, both options would yield long-term benefits for the nation by empowering youth, promoting indigenous innovation, and strengthening Nigeria’s technological capabilities.
His call comes amid growing interest in drone technology across the globe and increasing recognition of the need for home-grown solutions to national security, agricultural productivity, and emergency response challenges.
