The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially certified Arco Aviation Academy as an Approved Training Organization (ATO) for Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems (RPAS), marking a significant step forward in Nigeria’s drone industry development.
The certification, announced on June 5, follows a rigorous five-phase approval process ensuring the academy complies fully with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations. It authorizes Arco Aviation Academy to offer specialized drone pilot courses, including Basic Remote Pilot, Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS), and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) training.
At the presentation held at NCAA headquarters in Abuja, Director General Capt. Chris Najomo praised the academy’s adherence to all regulatory standards and emphasized the Authority’s commitment to ongoing oversight and guidance as the academy begins operations.
Capt. Maikano T.W., leader of the NCAA certification team, highlighted the academy’s readiness and strong administrative structure, while Engr. Godwin Balang, Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, described the certification as a milestone for technical capacity building in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Managing Director Okosubide Mozimo expressed gratitude to the NCAA and reaffirmed the academy’s dedication to safety and quality training standards.
This certification positions Arco Aviation Academy among the few institutions licensed to train drone pilots in Nigeria, supporting the country’s goal to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems into national airspace and advance its growing drone sector.
The NCAA’s move aligns with broader efforts to enhance local expertise and human capacity in drone technology, a key area of innovation and economic opportunity for Nigeria.
