The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, says efforts are being intensified to develop an Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management framework.
According to NAMA, this is to safely integrate drone operations into Nigeria’s airspace as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles continues to expand across key sectors of the economy.
Director of Air Traffic Services at NAMA, Mr. Tayo John, disclosed this at the Nigeria Dronetecx Conference and Expo twenty twenty-six, where he said increasing drone activities in agriculture, logistics, oil and gas, infrastructure monitoring and security operations are making coordinated airspace management more important.
He noted that, the proposed UTM system will rely on digital and automated technologies for real-time monitoring, airspace authorization and surveillance of low-altitude drone operations while complementing conventional air traffic management systems.
Mr. John explained that NAMA and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, are already working on a dedicated UTM structure to improve surveillance, strengthen safety and support the integration of civil and military airspace activities.
He, however, identified inadequate infrastructure, communication gaps, cybersecurity concerns and weak regulatory compliance as major challenges facing implementation.
Despite this, the NAMA official expressed confidence that a functional UTM system would improve aviation safety, enhance security surveillance and unlock new opportunities in the growing drone industry, including delivery services and urban air mobility operations.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen