ARCO Worldwide Services Limited (AWS), one of Nigeria’s commercial drone operations pioneers, yesterday in Abuja obtained a Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA’s) certificate to run the ARCO Aviation Academy (AAA)
With this development, AAA became Nigeria’s first NCAA-certified Approved Aviation Organisation (AAO) dedicated solely to drone pilot training.
The Managing Director of AWS, OkosubideMozimo, who received the certificate from the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, said the milestone positions AWS at the forefront of capacity building in the unmanned aviation sector.
Mozimo added that with the establishment of AAA, AWS reinforces its commitment to advancing industry standards, safety, and innovation in Nigeria’s drone ecosystem.
He stated that the Academy would effectively address the capital flight associated with the training of Nigerian drone pilots in other countries of the world.
Speaking further, Mozimo noted that this has been a vision since 2016. “We have logged over 9,500 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight hours, particularly in monitoring oil and gas pipelines for theft and vandalism. Drones are already revolutionising sectors across the globe, and Nigeria must not be left behind,” Mozimo said.
He maintained that with the official approval, Arco Aviation Academy became the first institution to receive the kind of certification in Nigeria, heralding a new era in local drone technology, innovation, and job creation.
He said: “This moment shows that perseverance pays. It’s not just about the licence, it’s about building a sustainable drone ecosystem.
“There was a time we spent between $20,000 and $25,000 per pilot for training overseas, in the U.S., Dubai, South Africa.
“That meant dealing with forex instability, visa delays, and logistics. With this certification, all of that will now be done here in Nigeria, in naira. This is a big win, for our company, for the economy, and for the youth.”
He highlighted the economic impact of the academy, noting that over 51 pilots had been trained abroad and that with the Academy in Port-Harcourt it would be a great opportunity for Nigerian youths who want to venture into drone technology. In addition to the existing Academy in Port-Harcourt, the MD said, there were plans to expand to Lagos and Abuja.
In his remarks, Capt Chris Najomo said he was elated at the determination of the AWS and for remaining committed to the development of the sub-sector in the country.
He pledged the support of the NCAA to AAA which he described as a model for the training of drone pilots in the country, adding that drones are the way to go, given the critical roles they now play in many areas of human activities.
“This is the first time something like this is happening, and you are leading the way. The drone is the future, and this innovation is not only timely, it is well worth every naira spent,” he said.
Najomoemphasised that maintaining the certificate would require strict compliance with NCAA regulations and promised continued surveillance from the Authority.
On his part, General Manager, General Aviation Operations at NCAA, Capt. Wilson Maikano, echoed the DG’s sentiment, recalling the long and challenging journey that culminated in the certification. Adding that his team made a vigorous assessment of AAA and that it met all necessary requirements.
