Nigeria’s First NCAA-Approved Drone Pilot Training Academy: ARCO Aviation Academy Pioneers a New Era in Unmanned Aviation
Nigeria has a new aviation landmark. ARCO Aviation Academy (AAA), the training arm of ARCO Worldwide Services Limited, has officially launched as Nigeria’s first Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)-certified Approved Aviation Organisation (AAO) dedicated exclusively to drone pilot training. This is not simply a milestone for one company, it is a watershed moment for the entire Nigerian aviation and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry.
In a country where drone technology is rapidly reshaping industries from oil and gas surveillance to precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and national security, the establishment of a fully licensed, regulation-compliant drone pilot training institution is not just timely but transformational. ARCO Aviation Academy is that institution, and its launch marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s unmanned aviation story.
A Historic First: Nigeria’s Only NCAA-Certified Drone Pilot Training Academy
The official recognition of ARCO Aviation Academy as Nigeria’s first NCAA-certified Approved Aviation Organisation (AAO) for drone pilot training is a landmark that the Nigerian aviation industry has long awaited. This certification means that ARCO Aviation Academy meets the highest regulatory and safety standards set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the same authority that governs all commercial aviation operations in Nigeria.
The Director General of the NCAA was present at the official launch to endorse this milestone, affirming that ARCO Aviation Academy’s establishment positions the organisation at the forefront of unmanned aviation development in Nigeria. His endorsement underscores a national recognition that capacity building, innovation, and safety in drone operations must be grounded in rigorous, certified training and that ARCO Aviation Academy is the institution equipped to deliver that.
“Drones are currently revolutionising sectors across the globe, and Nigeria must not be left behind.”
— Okosubide Mozimo, Managing Director, ARCO Worldwide Services Limited
ARCO Aviation Academy is fully licensed to offer a comprehensive suite of drone pilot training programmes, all designed in strict alignment with NCAA’s globally recognised regulations and international best practices in unmanned aviation. Whether you are an individual seeking professional drone pilot certification or an organisation looking to build institutional drone operator capacity, ARCO Aviation Academy has a programme for you.
Our NCAA-Certified Drone Training Courses Include:
- Basic Remote Pilot Certification (Basic RPAS): The ideal starting point for aspiring drone pilots. This foundational programme introduces students to the principles of remotely piloted aircraft systems, flight operations, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.
- Remote Pilot Certificate — VLOS (Visual Line of Sight): A professional certification programme for drone pilots operating within visual line of sight. Aligned with NCAA regulations, this course equips pilots with the skills to conduct commercial drone operations safely and competently.
- BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) Drone Operations: For advanced operators requiring certification to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight, one of the most specialised and in-demand drone pilot qualifications in Nigeria. ARCO Aviation Academy is among the very few institutions authorised to offer BVLOS training in Nigeria.
- Corporate and Government Drone Training Programmes: Bespoke drone training solutions for organisations in the oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure, and public sector industries.
The launch of ARCO Aviation Academy is not simply about filling a gap in Nigeria’s aviation training market. It is about establishing a gold standard that elevates drone pilot education across Nigeria and positions the country as a leader in unmanned aviation capacity building across Africa.
As the parent company ARCO Worldwide Services Limited has demonstrated over a decade of drone operations across Nigeria’s oil and gas, maritime, agriculture, and security sectors, the link between skilled drone operators and high-quality mission outcomes is direct and undeniable. ARCO Aviation Academy translates that operational expertise into structured, certified, industry-ready training that produces drone pilots who meet the demands of the real world.
Every programme is grounded in international aviation standards, practical flight competency, and a culture built on precision, safety, and accountability. Students graduate not just with a certificate but with the confidence and operational readiness to perform in Nigeria’s most demanding drone environments.
Who Is ARCO Aviation Academy For?
ARCO Aviation Academy serves a broad and growing community of learners and institutions across Nigeria and beyond:
- Aspiring professional drone pilots seeking NCAA-certified qualifications
- Commercial operators in oil and gas, agriculture, construction, and logistics needing VLOS and BVLOS certification
- Defense and security personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and NSCDC requiring operationally relevant drone training
- Government agencies and parastatals building internal drone operations capacity
- Corporate organisations in all sectors seeking to deploy drones for inspection, surveillance, or data collection
- Students and career changers looking to enter Nigeria’s fast-growing drone industry
The launch of ARCO Aviation Academy received widespread national recognition, with coverage across several of Nigeria’s leading news publications. This level of media recognition signals more than a corporate milestone. It signals a national conversation about the future of drone technology in Nigeria and ARCO Aviation Academy’s role in shaping it.
Read the press coverage:
Whether you are an individual who wants to build a career as a certified drone pilot in Nigeria, a company looking to upskill your operations team, or a government agency seeking to enhance your aerial intelligence capabilities, ARCO Aviation Academy is your partner.
Begin Your Drone Pilot Journey Today
ARCO Aviation Academy is now enrolling for its next cohort of drone pilot training programmes. Join Nigeria’s first and only NCAA-certified drone training institution and take your place at the forefront of Nigeria’s unmanned aviation industry.
