The Director General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, has called for a collaborative effort among stakeholders to establish a robust regulatory framework for the burgeoning Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) sector in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 5th Dronetecx event in Lagos, Capt. Najomo emphasized the NCAA’s dual role as a regulator and a proponent of technological advancement, highlighting the need to harmonize safety protocols, foster innovation, and align with national development goals.
He pointed out the transformative impact of UAS technology globally, spanning diverse sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and environmental monitoring, all areas crucial to Nigeria’s progress.
Acknowledging the significant increase in UAS adoption within the country, driven by Nigerian ingenuity and institutional demands, he cited their application in critical infrastructure monitoring and disaster management.
However, the DGCA cautioned that the integration of this disruptive technology necessitates a strong regulatory foundation to mitigate potential risks and fully realize its socio-economic benefits.
The NCAA’s regulatory imperatives, according to Capt. Najomo, are built upon three key pillars namely, ensuring the safety and integrity of Nigeria’s airspace, implementing stringent security measures to prevent misuse.
Data breaches, and actively facilitating an environment that encourages research, investment, and the scaling of UAS solutions.
He stressed the importance of moving beyond basic compliance towards a future-oriented regulatory philosophy that anticipates challenges and promotes both resilience and global competitiveness.
Outlining the NCAA’s proposed regulatory strategies, the NCAA boss detailed the development of a risk-based framework that will categorize drones based on operational parameters and complexity.
This framework will incorporate global standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (JARUS SORA) methodology, tailored to Nigeria’s specific geospatial and socio-economic context.
Key initiatives highlighted by the DGCA include the establishment of mandatory type certification for UAS designs, the implementation of a national UAS registry with real-time tracking capabilities.
Others are, the deployment of geo-fencing technologies to protect sensitive airspace, and collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser on integrating anti-drone systems.
To foster expertise and public understanding, the NCAA plans to launch a National UAS Academy and conduct public awareness campaigns.
The NCAA also aims to cultivate public-private partnerships and create a Multi-Agency Task Force to ensure streamlined governance across relevant sectors.
Capt. Najomo acknowledged existing challenges such as regulatory fragmentation, technological limitations, and public apprehension.
He called upon industry leaders to embrace ethical self-regulation, urged academia to prioritize UAS research, and encouraged legislators to support forward-thinking policies.
With a strong call to collective action, Capt. Najomo reiterated that through a unified approach, Nigeria can evolve from being a consumer of UAS technology into a leading regional hub for innovation, manufacturing, and talent development in the unmanned systems sector.
