National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) and a leading indigenous energy services and infrastructure solutions provider, ARCO Group Plc say their joint drone pilot training programme would boost job opportunities and bridge professional gap in Nigeria’s fast-growing drone industry.
The organisations said this during a webinar on a drone pilot training programme scheduled to begin on June 23. The head of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship at NACETEM, Mr Maruf Sani said the programme was designed to build a pool of qualified professionals for the emerging industry.
Sani said participants would receive recognised certification to improve public trust and professional credibility. According to him, the programme will position the participants to compete for opportunities within Nigeria and across the continent.
“For you to be able to operate and for people to be able to believe in what you do there has to be some public trust. “So what we will give you is trust; once you have the certificate it will accord you greater public trust in this growing industry.
“At the same time we will create a pool of qualified professionals for this emerging industry,” he said. Sani said certified operators would have opportunities across sectors including oil and gas, agriculture, health and security.
Also speaking, the Flight Operations manager of Acro Dr. Olushola Segun Odusanya, DirectorGeneral and Chief Executive Officer, National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) Worldwide Services, Mr Abdulkareem Haruna said the global drone market was projected to exceed 100 billion dollars by 2030.
Haruna said Africa and the Middle East were expected to become major markets for drone services and production. He said employers were increasingly seeking certified pilots with advanced operational and regulatory knowledge.
According to him, no fewer than 600 people have been employed in Nigeria’s drone services sector since 2020. “Data bridge market research shows that by 2030 the drone market will be worth over 100 billion dollars and as you know 2030 is just about four years away from now.
“The big question is: in four years from now when this market surge is expected to surge to over 100 billion dollars will you be positioned to take advantage of this market? “Africa and Middle East will be the biggest market for drone production,” he said.
Haruna urged participants to acquire professional skills required to compete in the evolving drone industry. Also speaking, the Accountable Manager of Acro Aviation Academy, Mr Wisdom Erae said the training would cover aviation regulations, flight planning, drone systems and risk assessment.
Erae said practical flight operations would account for about 70 per cent of the programme. He further said successful participants would receive certifications from NACETEM, Acro Group and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
According to him, the 15-day programme will combine classroom sessions, simulator training and practical field operations.
