Keyamo Pledges Government Support for Drone Industry Expansion

….FAAN Urges Integration of Drones to Revolutionize Aviation Ecosystems

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo has affirmed the full support of the Federal Government in strategically positioning Nigeria in the rapidly expanding Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, RPAS, industry also called drones.

Speaking at the Droneteck 2024 conference and exhibition in Lagos, the minister emphasized the global momentum behind drone technology, with projections indicating a USD 260 billion market by 2030. 

Mr. Keyamo represented by the Permanent Secretary in the minister, Mr. Emmanuel Meribole cited the active participation of African nations like Rwanda, Uganda, and Ghana in the race for leadership in RPAS technology.

Addressing security concerns, the Minister stressed the need for a balanced approach to harnessing the benefits of drone technology while safeguarding against misuse and security risks. 

He underscored the collaboration between the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to address security challenges posed by unauthorized drone operations and deliberate disruptions to civil aviation.

“We must find a balance between the significant benefits UAS offers across various industries and incidental risks to aviation infrastructure and national security”.

“Unauthorized UAS operations near airports and deliberate disruptions to civil aviation operations underscore the need for robust regulatory frameworks and effective countermeasures”.

In a presentation entitled: the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku called for the integration of drones into the aviation ecosystems due to its huge ability to provide real-time data and insight.

Mrs Kuku represented by the Director, Special Duties, Mr. Henry Agbebire said, airport operators can leverage this data to optimize runway inspections, monitor perimeter security, and conduct wildlife hazard assessments with unprecedented precision and efficiency. 

She explained how the use of drone for aerial surveillance, led to the identification and removal of encroachments near the Lagos airports around the Ajao area axis.

“I will like to recall that in collaboration with the organizers of Drone Tech, FAAN was able to deploy drone to gather an aerial surveillance of the airfield encroachment in Ajao axis by property developers, which helped to justify the basis upon which Lagos State had to bring down a lot of properties encroaching the airport”. 

She called on all stakeholders to seize the opportunities that lie ahead, embrace innovation, and chart a course towards a future where drones do not only enhance the efficiency of airports but also redefine the very fabric of aviation.

Organizer of the Dronetecx, Mr. Fortune Idu said, drone

 Use is growing at an astronomical rate and will offer the next form of air transportation, which will be safer and more available and in the next ten years, drones will begin to solve the problem of urban vehicular traffic congestion by taking people to the sky as taxis.

He appealed that, Nigeria must begin now; with the passing of NCAA part 21 for RPAS operation, a national dialogue for the national road map for Unmanned Aerial System, UAS advancement.

“Our regulation cannot take strong hold of such a fast-moving industry if no national plan and policy framework creates ambition of what and how the nation is to key into this global development”.