Middle East Conflict Highlights Urgent Need for Drone Tech in Nigeria
The Managing Director of ARCO Worldwide Services Limited, Engr. Okosubide Mozimo, has emphasized that the ongoing Middle East conflict underscores the urgent necessity for Nigeria to adopt and deploy drone technology to enhance national security and stimulate economic growth. Speaking in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ARCO and the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Mozimo highlighted that modern conflicts, such as the hostilities between Israel and Iran, demonstrate drones' central role in military operations.
Collaboration for Innovation and Capacity Building
The MoU, signed by Mozimo on behalf of ARCO and Dr. Olushola Odusanya, Director-General of NACETEM, aims to foster collaboration in research, capacity building, and innovation in drone technology. It also seeks to train young Nigerians in the production, piloting, and maintenance of drones for various sectors, including security, agriculture, oil and gas, healthcare, and infrastructure monitoring. Mozimo stated that drones have become crucial in many areas and represent a major job-creating innovation.
He pointed out that the ongoing war involving America, Israel, and Iran clearly illustrates how critical drones are in modern warfare, and Nigeria cannot afford to ignore this technology. "If you look at the war going on between America, Israel and Iran, about 70 per cent of the equipment used has been drones, achieving very effective results. From Iran to Israel and other attack sites, drones have been extensively utilized," Mozimo explained. "Nigeria needs to catch up with the rest of the world. This MoU provides a valuable opportunity to develop capacity that will enable us to compete globally."
ARCO's Pioneering Role and Security Applications
Mozimo revealed that ARCO Worldwide Services Limited pioneered commercial drone operations in Nigeria in 2016 and has maintained a leading position in drone technology, offering services for oil and gas, security for the military, and training drone pilots. He stressed that drones could significantly improve Nigeria's internal security, particularly on high-risk highways like Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan. "We see kidnappings almost daily. Drones can help track movements in real time, identify threats, and facilitate rapid response. The benefits are enormous," he added.
NACETEM's Focus on Commercializing Innovations
On his part, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, Director-General of NACETEM, expressed his organization's readiness to see innovations in science and technology translate into tangible commercial products that impact the Nigerian economy. He noted that innovation thrives only when ecosystems are built around commercial products. "The question becomes, despite all investments and recurrent expenditures, why aren't we achieving the impact seen in other countries? NACETEM's function is to address these issues," he said.
Odusanya disclosed that new technologies in Artificial Intelligence and ICT are creating opportunities, and the MoU with ARCO exemplifies how such technologies can benefit the Nigerian economy. He argued that the government's promise to provide 50 million jobs is achievable with increased attention to vocational education and skill acquisition.
