The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has commissioned a drone training centre in Kaduna State as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous technological capacity and develop skilled personnel for emerging industries.
The NASCAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Training Facility was commissioned on Monday, October 19, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government. The initiative forms part of a broader programme to promote technical education, innovation and economic empowerment.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, participated in the commissioning, while the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, was represented by the Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Air Vice Marshal Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun.
The officials stressed the importance of developing local expertise to operate, maintain and adapt advanced technologies rather than relying excessively on foreign suppliers.
The commissioning also highlighted the growing importance of drone technology in security operations, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, healthcare and environmental management.
NASENI Targets Indigenous Drone Expertise
NASENI Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, described the training centre as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s technological development.
The facility is designed to provide specialised training and strengthen the country’s capacity to use unmanned aerial vehicles. It is also expected to create opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire technical skills that could support employment, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The centre emerged from a partnership between NASENI and Caverton Helicopters, which led to the establishment of NasCav Technology Limited (NASCAV).
The partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding in 2024, seeks to develop indigenous aviation capabilities, including drone assembly, training and maintenance services.
Halilu disclosed that two cohorts of drone pilots had already received training in Kaduna, indicating that the initiative had begun developing local expertise before the centre’s formal commissioning.
However, sustaining the programme will require continued investment in equipment, instructors, practical learning and opportunities for trained personnel to apply their skills.
Defence Sector Seeks Reduced Dependence on Foreign Suppliers
The commissioning comes amid calls for Nigeria to strengthen its domestic capacity in defence and security technology.
Representing the Minister of Defence, Ademuwagun warned that excessive dependence on foreign suppliers could expose the country to vulnerabilities, particularly when access to technical information, equipment maintenance and critical systems depends on external partners.
He emphasised that acquiring sophisticated equipment alone would not guarantee operational effectiveness without personnel who could operate, maintain and sustain the technology.
Locally trained specialists could help improve equipment availability, support intelligence gathering and strengthen the operational capacity of relevant security agencies.
Drones can support surveillance, reconnaissance, mapping and infrastructure protection. Nevertheless, their effectiveness depends on professional training, appropriate maintenance, responsible operation and compliance with applicable regulations.
Developing local expertise could therefore help Nigeria build a stronger technical workforce while improving its ability to maintain and adapt equipment to domestic needs.
Drone Technology Offers Opportunities Beyond Security
Although drones are increasingly associated with surveillance and security, their potential applications extend to several sectors of the economy.
In agriculture, unmanned aerial vehicles can assist with crop monitoring, farm assessment and precision farming. Depending on the equipment and application, they can help farmers identify areas requiring attention and make more informed decisions about farm management.
These capabilities could become particularly valuable as agricultural producers explore ways to improve productivity, manage resources and reduce avoidable costs.
In infrastructure, drones can support inspections of roads, buildings, power facilities and other assets. They can also assist with environmental monitoring and the collection of aerial information for planning purposes.
Healthcare and emergency response services may benefit from drone applications where aerial assessment or the transportation of suitable supplies is practical and permitted.
However, translating these possibilities into measurable economic benefits will depend on the availability of trained operators, affordable services, reliable equipment and clear operating procedures.
For Nigeria, expanding drone expertise could create opportunities for technical service providers and businesses while encouraging the development of locally relevant solutions.
Women Take a Prominent Role in Training Initiative
Governor Uba Sani highlighted the participation of women in the drone training programme, stating that women account for at least 60 per cent of its participants.
The emphasis on female participation signals an effort to widen access to emerging technical and aviation-related careers, which require specialised knowledge and practical experience.
Sani also called for young people, persons with disabilities and residents of underserved communities to have meaningful access to training and economic opportunities.
Broader participation could help expand the pool of skilled personnel available to Nigeria’s growing technology sector.
However, inclusion will need to extend beyond enrolment. Participants must also have access to quality instruction, recognised skills, relevant equipment and pathways into employment or business ownership.
NASENI Expands Skills Development in Kaduna
The drone training facility was one of three major initiatives undertaken by NASENI in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government.
The other programmes included the groundbreaking of a NASENI Skill Development Centre and the launch of the NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme.
The proposed skills development centre in Rigachikun is expected to expand access to practical and vocational training, equipping participants with industry-relevant competencies for employment and entrepreneurship.
The initiatives reflect a wider focus on connecting technical education with practical economic opportunities.
Sani has emphasised the importance of vocational training in improving livelihoods and strengthening the state’s productive capacity. He also highlighted the state’s existing investment in skills development.
According to the governor, 4,050 people graduated from the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in August after receiving training in 14 trades. These included electrical installation, solar installation, mechatronics, computer hardware maintenance, catering and fashion design.
The governor said the institute had secured accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education, while instructors had received training in quality assurance and assessment.
Clean Energy Support Complements Technology Drive
The NASENI engagement also included the distribution of clean-energy solutions and household support items under the agency’s Sustainable Empowerment Programme.
The programme was designed to reach 500 beneficiaries across Kaduna State’s 23 local government areas, including 450 women and 50 men.
The support included home solar systems, clean cooking stoves and other assistance intended to improve household welfare and expand access to cleaner energy options.
The programme complements the agency’s broader objective of ensuring that science, engineering and technology deliver practical benefits beyond specialised institutions and industrial facilities.
Together, the initiatives connect drone training, vocational education and household energy support within a wider effort to promote technological development and economic participation.
Implementation Will Determine Long-Term Impact
The commissioning of the NASCAV UAV Training Facility marks a step towards strengthening Nigeria’s domestic technical capabilities. However, its long-term value will depend on how effectively the centre operates and the opportunities available to its trainees.
Consistent training, equipment maintenance, partnerships with industry and access to practical experience will be important in ensuring that participants develop skills that employers and businesses need.
The success of the initiative will also depend on whether local expertise can support viable services, encourage innovation and reduce avoidable dependence on external technical support.
For NASENI and its partners, the challenge is to turn the facility into a sustainable platform for skills development and indigenous technological advancement.
Ultimately, the Kaduna drone training centre represents an opportunity to connect engineering knowledge with practical applications in security, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors. If supported by sustained investment and effective implementation, it could help expand Nigeria’s technical workforce and strengthen the country’s capacity to develop and maintain home-grown technology.
