Aviation Authorities Caution Drone Operators

Nigeria’s aviation authorities have cautioned drone operators nationwide that breaches of existing regulations could attract stiff penalties, including heavy fines, prison terms and the seizure of equipment.

In a public compliance advisory, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said the country’s airspace remains tightly controlled in coordination with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other security bodies.

The regulator stressed that individuals and organisations intending to operate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) must first obtain clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). 

It added that the clearance includes securing an End User Certificate for each drone before any further regulatory steps can be taken.

According to the NCAA, all drones must also be formally registered through its official online portal, describing registration as a non-negotiable requirement for lawful operation in Nigeria.

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Beyond registration, operators are required to complete a five-stage certification process to receive safety authorisation. 

The process, it announced, covers pre-application, formal submission, document assessment, operational demonstration and final certification approval.

The authority further advised industry players to work closely with the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Unit, a specialised unit set up to guide operators and enforce standards within Nigeria’s expanding drone sector.

Operational rules mentioned in the advisory include strict compliance with national aviation regulations, respect for citizens’ privacy, and adherence to approved no-fly zones and altitude limits.

"The Nigerian airspace is strictly regulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in coordination with Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and relevant security agencies.

"Failure to comply may result in heavy fines, imprisonment, equipment seizure," it said.