In a major move to formalise and scale the nation’s rapidly expanding drone sector, he Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, has directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to begin the creation of a comprehensive National Policy Direction for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAVs).
This initiative aims to transform the current liberalized registration process into a robust, world-class commercial industry that balances innovation with national security.
Bridging Regulatory Gaps
While the industry currently operates under the Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA) regulation Part 21, the new policy framework is designed to close existing gaps in commercial development. The Minister’s mandate follows recommendations from the Dronetecx 2024/2025 conference, emphasising the need to: Organise and coordinate commercial drone activities; define specific roles for industry stakeholders; properly map and optimise the industry’s economic potential.
Economic Potential and Global Standards
The move comes at a time when the global market for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles is witnessing explosive growth. Experts project the market value to reach USD 41.27 billion in 2025, with a forecasted climb to USD 160.44 billion by 2034.
By aligning with international standards, Nigeria seeks to transition toward Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), which will revolutionize local logistics, security, and urban transport.
The 10-Year Roadmap (2026–2036)
Mr. Fortune Idu, Chairman of Dronetecx and coordinator of the National Framework, revealed that a National Roadmap spanning from 2026 to 2036 has already been developed.
“This roadmap has been incorporated into the Nigerian Civil Aviation master plan and submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” Idu stated, signaling Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a continental leader in the UAS space.
Collaborative Implementation
To ensure the policy’s success, a high-level committee has been established, featuring key stakeholders including:
Ministry of Aviation & NCAA
NAMA (Airspace Management) & FAAN (Airports Authority)
ONSA (Office of the National Security Adviser)
NCAT (Aviation Technology) & NSIB (Investigation Bureau)
NIMET (Meteorological Agency)
International Synergy
The group recently concluded an international exchange at Munich Airport International (MAI) in Germany. This workshop focused on aligning Nigerian regulatory frameworks with European future use cases, ensuring that the local drone ecosystem is both safe and scalable.
With young Nigerians already utilising drones for agriculture, filmmaking, and aerial surveys, this new policy direction is expected to unlock thousands of jobs and position Nigeria as a primary hub for drone technology in Africa.
