‘Drones now key to national growth’
The growing use of drone technology has become increasingly vital for Nigeria’s national security, stability and economic expansion, Managing Director of ARCO Worldwide Services Limited, Engr. Okosubide Mozimo, has said.
- From Juliana Agbo, Abuja
The growing use of drone technology has become increasingly vital for Nigeria’s national security, stability and economic expansion, Managing Director of ARCO Worldwide Services Limited, Engr. Okosubide Mozimo, has said.
Mozimo made the remark during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ARCO Worldwide Services Limited and the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) in Abuja at the weekend.
The ARCO chief signed the agreement on behalf of his company, while the Director-General of NACETEM, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, represented the federal government agency.
The MoU focuses on collaboration in innovation, capacity development and training in drone operations and maintenance.
It also covers research and development in technology and initiatives aimed at supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through technological advancement.
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Under the partnership, both organisations plan to promote the development of drone technology in Nigeria and equip young Nigerians with skills in drone manufacturing, piloting and maintenance across key sectors such as security, agriculture, oil and gas, healthcare and infrastructure management.
Speaking after the signing, Mozimo said the partnership aligns with ARCO’s mission of leveraging technology to drive economic progress in the country.
He explained that the agreement would help accelerate the application of drone technology in several industries including agriculture, defence, logistics, maritime services, mapping and infrastructure development.
According to him, drones have become widely applicable across multiple sectors and represent a growing source of employment and innovation.
Mozimo also noted that developments in global conflicts have demonstrated the increasing importance of drones in modern warfare, stressing that Nigeria must keep pace with technological trends worldwide.
He said the MoU would help strengthen local capacity and position Nigeria to compete globally in drone technology development.
The ARCO managing director further disclosed that the company pioneered commercial drone operations in Nigeria in 2016 and has since remained active in providing drone services to the oil and gas sector, security agencies and the military, while also training drone pilots locally.
He added that the company’s training academy has helped reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for drone pilot training, thereby limiting capital flight.
Mozimo emphasised that the partnership with NACETEM would expand opportunities for training, innovation and technology development that could positively impact many Nigerians.
He also highlighted the potential of drones in strengthening security surveillance and election monitoring, noting that their deployment along major highways and other sensitive locations could help security agencies respond more quickly to threats such as kidnapping.
In his remarks, NACETEM Director-General, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, said the agency is committed to ensuring that innovations in science and technology translate into commercially viable products that benefit the Nigerian economy.
Odusanya noted that NACETEM serves as a think tank for government, providing data-driven research and policy advice in areas related to science, technology and innovation.
He explained that the agency analyses data to support government policy decisions and also conducts gap analyses to identify areas requiring capacity development and training.
The director-general added that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and information and communication technology (ICT) are creating new opportunities for national development, describing the partnership with ARCO as a practical step in harnessing these innovations.
Odusanya further called for greater emphasis on vocational education and skills acquisition as Nigeria seeks to accelerate industrialisation and technological growth.
He said prioritising technical skills such as welding, foundry practice, industrial electrical work and mechatronics would help strengthen the country’s industrial base and support job creation.
