LAGOS, NIGERIA — Five personnel of the Nigerian Navy have graduated from the sixth cohort of a specialised drone training programme conducted by ARCO Aviation Academy, further strengthening Nigeria’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The academy announced the graduation in May, describing it as another significant milestone in its ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to enhance the country’s security architecture through advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) training.
According to ARCO Aviation Academy, the officers underwent intensive training in drone operations, surveillance technology and UAS protocols under the guidance of experienced instructors with practical field expertise.
The programme was specifically designed to equip military personnel with the specialised skills required for intelligence gathering, surveillance missions and reconnaissance operations.
The academy noted that the partnership with the Nigerian Navy has now produced six successful cohorts, reflecting the Navy’s sustained confidence in the institution’s ability to deliver high-quality drone training.
Participants in the latest cohort reportedly praised the quality of instruction, hands-on training methodology and professionalism demonstrated by the academy’s faculty and support staff.
As part of the graduation requirements, the trainees successfully completed a check ride assessment supervised by officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The assessment was conducted by Capt. Raphael Akinsete, Engr. Ebitie Charles and SFO O. Kukoyi, whose involvement underscored the regulatory standards governing the programme.
ARCO Aviation Academy stated that the successful completion of the evaluation highlights its commitment to producing drone operators who meet NCAA-prescribed safety and operational standards.
The institution described the graduation of the sixth consecutive cohort as evidence of its expanding role in military drone training and capacity development across Nigeria’s security sector.
According to the academy, the achievement further reinforces its capability to deliver operationally sensitive training programmes tailored to the intelligence and surveillance needs of the armed forces.
Looking ahead, ARCO Aviation Academy disclosed plans to expand its curriculum to include advanced drone operations, counter-drone systems and artificial intelligence-integrated surveillance training.
The academy noted that unmanned aerial systems have become indispensable tools in modern warfare and maritime security, particularly for coastal surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid-response operations.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s security objectives through the development of highly skilled drone operators capable of meeting evolving operational demands.
ARCO Aviation Academy congratulated the graduating officers for successfully completing the programme and commended their dedication and commitment to excellence throughout the training.
The NCAA-licensed aviation training institution offers training programmes for commercial pilots, professional drone operators, corporate organisations and government agencies.
Its drone training portfolio includes Basic Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Visual Line of Sight (VLOS), Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and structured on-the-job training designed to prepare operators for commercial and professional UAV operations across various sectors.
