On 26 May 2026, ARCO Aviation Academy proudly announced the successful graduation of its 6th Drone Training Cohort comprising five Nigerian Navy personnel, marking a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s military drone training landscape. This graduation is not simply a milestone for the Academy it is a defining statement about the future of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) training in Nigeria’s defence and security sector.

As Nigeria’s leading NCAA-licensed and ONSA-approved drone training institution, ARCO Aviation Academy continues to set the standard for professional drone pilot training programmes across Nigeria and West Africa. With this 6th cohort, the Academy reaffirms its commitment to empowering Nigeria’s military and security forces with the drone skills, UAS expertise, and aerial intelligence capabilities required to meet the evolving demands of modern national security.
Since the inception of the ARCO Aviation Academy and Nigerian Navy drone training partnership, every cohort has been built on a foundation of rigorous instruction, regulatory compliance, and mission-relevant learning. The 6th Cohort is no exception.
The five graduating Nigerian Navy personnel underwent a comprehensive drone training programme that included hands-on expertise in drone operations, surveillance technology, and unmanned aerial system (UAS) protocols. As part of the programme’s rigorous assessment process, the cohort completed a formal check ride officiated by representatives of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Rapheal Akinsete, Engr. Ebitie Charles, and SFO O. Kukoyi whose presence affirmed the regulatory credibility and world-class professional standards that ARCO Aviation Academy brings to every training programme it delivers.
Feedback from the 6th Cohort has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants consistently highlighted the depth and quality of instruction, the practical and mission-relevant training methodology, and the professionalism of ARCO Aviation Academy’s faculty and support team as standout strengths of the programme.
“Unmanned aerial systems are no longer peripheral tools in modern warfare and maritime security they are central to it. ARCO Aviation Academy is ensuring that Nigeria’s Sectors and personnel are not just keeping pace, but leading the charge.”
The completion of six consecutive military drone training cohorts carries significant implications, not only for ARCO Aviation Academy but for the wider development of defence-sector UAS capability in Nigeria.

Here is what this achievement signals:

• Validated excellence in military-grade drone training: ARCO Aviation Academy has demonstrated its capability to deliver operationally sensitive, defence-focused drone training to military personnel at the highest professional standard.
• Bespoke ISR curriculum design: The Academy has developed drone training curricula specifically tailored to the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) needs of Nigeria’s naval forces, setting a benchmark for specialised UAS education.
• Positioning as Nigeria’s foremost military UAS training institution: With six successful cohorts completed, ARCO Aviation Academy stands as the go-to drone training institution for Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies.
• Long-term defence sector partnerships: This track record strengthens ARCO’s case for sustained government and defence sector contracts, deepening its strategic relevance in Nigeria’s security landscape.
• A regional benchmark for West Africa: ARCO Aviation Academy is pioneering military UAS training standards across West Africa, setting the pace for how armed forces in the region develop drone operator capacity.
• A pathway to expanded programmes: The success of this partnership opens the door to advanced curriculum modules, including counter-drone systems, AI-integrated surveillance training, and BVLOS operations for defence applications.

The graduation of the Nigerian Navy’s 6th Cohort is the beginning of a much larger mission. ARCO Aviation Academy is committed to supporting the operational mandates of all of Nigeria’s defence and security agencies by equipping their personnel with world-class drone training and UAS expertise.
Whether it is drone surveillance training for the Nigerian Army to enhance ground operations and border security, aerial intelligence programmes for the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen air dominance and reconnaissance capabilities, drone operations training for the Nigeria Police Force to support law enforcement, intelligence gathering and crowd management, or specialised UAS programmes for other agencies within Nigeria’s security apparatus, ARCO Aviation Academy stands ready to serve.
We believe that a safer, more secure Nigeria is built on well-trained, technology-equipped security and defence professionals. Drones are no longer optional in modern security operations they are essential. And ARCO Aviation Academy is the institution that ensures Nigeria’s forces have the skills to deploy them effectively, safely, and with strategic precision. Our doors are open to the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service, and all federal and state security agencies seeking certified, regulation-compliant drone training for their personnel.

About ARCO Aviation Academy: Nigeria’s Premier NCAA-Licensed Drone Training Institution

ARCO Aviation Academy (AAA) is a premier, NCAA-licensed aviation training institution dedicated to developing highly skilled, disciplined, and safety-conscious aviation and drone professionals across Nigeria and Africa. As the training arm of ARCO Worldwide Services Limited a subsidiary of ARCO Group Plc and an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, the Academy brings together world-class training infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and deep operational expertise to deliver drone pilot training programmes that are second to none.
The Academy serves a diverse community of learners, from aspiring commercial pilots and drone operators to corporate professionals, government agencies, and military personnel. Our drone training programmes are fully accredited by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and approved by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), ensuring that every graduate meets the highest regulatory and operational standards in Nigeria.

Our Drone Pilot Training Programmes Include:

• Basic RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) Training
• VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) Drone Operations
• BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) Drone Operations
• Military & Defence-Focused UAS Training
• Surveillance, ISR and Aerial Intelligence Programmes
• Corporate and Government Agency Drone Training Programmes

Every programme at ARCO Aviation Academy is grounded in international aviation standards, practical competency development, and a culture built on precision, safety, and accountability which are the same values that Nigeria’s defence and security agencies demand of their personnel.
ARCO Aviation Academy extends its heartfelt congratulations to all five graduating officers of the 6th Drone Training Cohort. Your commitment to excellence, your discipline throughout this programme, and the outstanding results you have achieved reflect the finest values of the Nigerian Navy.
You can partner with ARCO Aviation Academy
Is your organisation looking to build drone operator capacity? Whether you represent a military branch, a security agency, a government institution, or a private enterprise, ARCO Aviation Academy has a certified drone training programme designed for your specific operational needs.
Contact us today to discuss a tailored training programme for your team.