The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has certified Arco Aviation Academy to offer training for Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems (RPAS), formally designating it as an Approved Training Organization (ATO) in Nigeria.
The certification adds to efforts aimed at building technical capacity in the country’s growing drone sector.
This development was announced in a statement posted by the NCAA on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
The agency noted that the move aligns with its broader goal of strengthening local expertise in the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the country.
“In a bid to enhance human capacity development in the deployment of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) today, June 4, 2025, certified Arco Aviation Academy as an Approved Training Organization (ATO) for Remote Pilot Aircraft System (RPAS) training,” the statement read in part.
According to the NCAA, the certification followed the successful completion of a rigorous five-phase approval process and demonstrated compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) Part 21.
The approved RPAS courses include the Basic Remote Pilot Course, Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Course, and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Course.
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The statement further noted that at the presentation ceremony held at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, acknowledged the academy’s compliance with all regulatory requirements and urged it to maintain consistent standards.
He also reaffirmed the Authority’s role in providing oversight and guidance as the academy begins operations.
- Capt. Maikano T.W., who led the NCAA’s certification team, noted that the academy demonstrated strong readiness throughout the process. The Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang described the certification as a step forward for capacity development in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
- Representing the academy, Managing Director Okosubide Mozimo thanked the NCAA and acknowledged Engr. Balang’s continued support over the years. The Accountable Manager, Mr. Wisdom Erae, said the academy remains committed to upholding safety standards and delivering quality training.
The statement further highlighted that the NCAA’s evaluation covered several key areas, including administrative structure, instructional materials, teaching methods, record management, and internal quality controls.
With this certification, Arco Aviation Academy becomes one of the few institutions licensed to train drone pilots in Nigeria, contributing to the country’s efforts to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into its airspace.
