Aviation
FIVE personnel of the Nigerian Navy have graduated from the sixth cohort of a specialised drone training programme conducted by ARCO Aviation Academy.
The academy announced the graduation in May, describing it as another milestone in its collaboration with the Nigerian Navy aimed at strengthening the country’s security and surveillance capabilities through unmanned aerial systems (UAS) training.
According to the academy, the officers underwent intensive training in drone operations, surveillance technology and UAS protocols under instructors with practical expertise in the field.
It said the programme was designed to equip military personnel with specialised skills required for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
ARCO Aviation Academy noted that the partnership with the Nigerian Navy had now produced six successful cohorts, reflecting the Navy’s continued confidence in the institution’s capacity to deliver high-quality drone training.
The academy said participants in the latest cohort commended the quality of instruction, practical training approach and professionalism of the faculty and support staff.
As part of the graduation requirements, the trainees underwent a check ride assessment supervised by officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The assessment was officiated by Capt. Raphael Akinsete, Engr. Ebitie Charles and SFO O. Kukoyi, whose participation, according to the academy, underscored the regulatory standards guiding the programme.
ARCO Aviation Academy said the successful completion of the evaluation demonstrated its commitment to producing drone operators who meet safety and operational standards prescribed by the NCAA.
The academy described the completion of the sixth consecutive cohort as evidence of its growing role in military drone training and capacity development.
It said the achievement reinforced its capability to deliver operationally sensitive training programmes tailored to the intelligence and surveillance requirements of the armed forces.
The institution added that it was exploring opportunities to expand its curriculum to include advanced drone operations, counter-drone systems and artificial intelligence-integrated surveillance training.
According to the academy, unmanned aerial systems have become critical tools in modern warfare and maritime security, particularly in areas such as coastal surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid-response operations.
It said the academy remained committed to supporting the development of skilled drone operators capable of contributing to Nigeria’s security objectives.
ARCO Aviation Academy congratulated the graduating officers for successfully completing the programme and commended their commitment to excellence throughout the training.
The academy is an NCAA-licensed aviation training institution that provides training for commercial pilots, professional drone operators, corporate organisations and government personnel.
Its drone training programmes include Basic Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Visual Line of Sight (VLOS), Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and structured on-the-job training designed to prepare operators for commercial and professional UAV operations across various sectors.
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Tags: ARCO Aviation Academy Drone Training Programme Nigerian Navy