The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says no drone operating in the country has been officially certified.
Speaking at a drone technology expo in Lagos, NCAA’s Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Engr. Godwin Balang, explained that while drones are widely used across Nigeria, none currently meets the standards for certification.
He said drones are still evolving globally and lack the unified safety standards required for formal approval.
“Not a single drone in Nigeria is certified. That’s why we’re facing challenges with regulations, licensing, and security,” he said.
Balang also cleared the air on rumours that registering a drone costs N3 million. According to him, the actual registration fee is just N5,000, as stated in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations.
He added that although Nigeria has drone guidelines dating back to 2017, the global aviation body, ICAO, only recently began working on drone-specific standards. Countries like South Africa, which had earlier issued drone licences, have paused the process due to regulatory challenges.
The NCAA urged users to follow existing rules and maintain safety while the country works towards stronger policies on drone operations.
