By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Federal Government has commissioned the NASENI-Caverton Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Training Centre at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s technological self-reliance and develop local expertise in drone technology.
The facility, known as NASCAV, is a joint initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Caverton Helicopters, implemented through NASCAV Technology Limited.
The partnership is anchored on a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding aimed at building Nigerian capacity in drone assembly, pilot training and helicopter services.
The commissioning ceremony attracted the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who was represented by the Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun; Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani; NASENI Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Suleiman Halilu; and Caverton Managing Director, Rotimi Makanjuola.
Other dignitaries included the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; the Co-Chairman of the Elders Forum, Alhaji Abubakar Mustafa; representatives of NASENI and Caverton; members of the NASCAV team led by Dr Abayomi Okesola; instructors, trained drone pilots, and traditional and religious leaders.
Defence Minister Calls for Indigenous Drone Technology
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf, Musa described the centre as a significant step towards developing Nigeria’s indigenous capabilities in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, including assembly, training and maintenance.
He said the theme of the event, “Innovation: Innovating Today, Empowering Tomorrow,” reflected the importance of investing in local knowledge, technical skills and sustainable technological development.
According to him, technological self-reliance goes beyond acquiring equipment to developing the expertise required to operate, maintain and improve such systems locally.
Musa acknowledged the importance of international partnerships but warned against excessive dependence on foreign technology, particularly in critical security operations.
He stressed the need to localise intelligence gathering through indigenous technological solutions, noting that unmanned aerial systems could improve surveillance, reconnaissance, infrastructure protection and intelligence operations.
The defence minister urged stakeholders to prioritise the development of local expertise to ensure that Nigeria can effectively deploy and maintain its own technological platforms.
Uba Sani Highlights Economic Benefits of UAV Technology
Governor Uba Sani congratulated NASENI, Caverton Helicopters, NASCAV Technology Limited and AFIT on the establishment of the centre.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising science, technology and local production as key components of national development.
The governor praised Halilu and his team for translating the Federal Government’s commitment to technological advancement into practical investment.
He said the value of technological progress should be measured by its impact on human welfare, economic growth and opportunities for young Nigerians.
According to Sani, locating the facility at AFIT creates opportunities for collaboration among researchers, instructors, students, government institutions and private-sector operators.
He added that the partnership could help transform research and technical knowledge into practical applications, commercially viable businesses and sustainable employment.
The governor identified agriculture as one of the sectors that could benefit from drone technology, particularly in Kaduna State, where farming supports many households.
He explained that properly deployed UAVs could assist with crop monitoring, land assessment and agricultural planning, enabling farmers and relevant authorities to make better-informed decisions.
Sani also noted that drone technology could support healthcare delivery, especially in hard-to-reach communities, while expanding the range of services available to underserved populations.
NASENI Reports Progress in Drone Pilot Training
Halilu disclosed that the NASENI-Caverton programme had already trained two cohorts of drone pilots in Kaduna, providing a foundation for further skills development at the newly commissioned facility.
He said UAV technology has applications across agriculture, infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, emergency response and law enforcement.
However, he emphasised that the technology’s economic and operational value depends largely on the competence of the people trained to use it.
Halilu explained that NASENI’s approach is built around three principles: Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation, designed to encourage innovation, partnerships and the conversion of technical ideas into practical products and services.
He also highlighted the agency’s SheFly initiative, which seeks to expand opportunities for women engineers and scientists in UAV operations, including applications that could support farming communities.
To illustrate the programme’s emphasis on merit, Halilu recounted how he observed his secondary school classmate, Salim Adamu Sada, assembling and disassembling a drone during a video review.
He said Sada qualified through the programme’s established selection process, without personal influence, describing the experience as an indication of the transparency and professionalism of the NASCAV management.
The NASENI chief expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Governor Sani, Musa, the Nigerian Air Force, AFIT leadership, the Emir of Zazzau, Caverton management and the NASCAV team for their contributions to the initiative.
He urged trainees to approach their work with discipline, curiosity and a strong sense of responsibility.
Centre Expected to Create Jobs and Reduce Foreign Dependence
Stakeholders at the commissioning agreed that the long-term success of the facility should be measured by the practical skills acquired by trainees and the opportunities created through the programme.
They identified employment generation, business development and the delivery of technology-based services as important indicators of the centre’s impact.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic capacity in UAV technology, support innovation across key sectors and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for certain technical services.
With the centre now commissioned, attention is expected to focus on translating training and technological development into practical solutions that address Nigeria’s security, agricultural, infrastructure and economic needs.
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