Mr Fortune Idu, the Chairman of Drone Technology Conference and Exhibition (DroneTecx), says the annual conference has influenced significant changes in Nigeria’s drone sector.
Idu spoke at the opening of the sixth edition of the conference on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria’s drone sector has transitioned from a fragmented group of enthusiasts into a centrally-coordinated industry having a full chapter in the newly-released National Aviation Master Plan.
Idu said that advocacy efforts in the sector had yielded tangible results, including integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems into the National Aviation Master Plan.
“Initially, we thought we were venturing into a terrain that would remain passive for a long time.
“Two years ago, we were calling operators out of the closet. Then, we might gather only five or 10 people but today, that community is growing.
“This growth is not merely numerical; it is deeply influential.
The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority have reportedly pivoted their policy-making to reflect the research and feedback provided by the DroneTecx community,” he said.
Idu noted that in the past, the national policy on drones was just two paragraphs and fewer than 20 words.
He expressed satisfaction that the sector could, at the moment, boast of a comprehensive roadmap with a detailed strategic document outlining future goals.
He highlighted other achievements of the conference to include successful launch and implementation of Part 21 regulations specifically tailored to the drone ecosystem.
Idu said that centralised coordination and opening for recreational drone flyers were adequately integrated in the framework.
According to him, in a bid to bridge the gap between high-level technical operations and casual use, the NCAA is preparing to announce a seamless registration platform for the ‘open category’.
He said the initiative targeted recreational flyers, who operated without formal documentation.
He said that although the small-scale operations were once ignored, they carried significant safety and security implications that must be addressed.
“The goal is to capture them into the system so that authorities recognise their existence.
“It is about documentation, education and creating awareness.”
Idu said that Nigeria was positioning itself to lead the next generation of digital aviation in West Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DroneTecX Conference and Exhibition is a three-day event, with drone technologists and representatives of aviation agencies and agriculture firms in attendance.
There were exhibitors at the event, including aviation schools and drone service providers.
