In line with Strengthening safety, security, and technology enhancement in the world of the aviation industry in Nigeria, the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has held a One-Day Executive workshop on Advancement in Air Navigation and safety.
The workshop centres on the demonstration of a new technology, “NavAidDrone,” for verifying and adjusting the accuracy of airport navigation aids, communication systems, and other equipment to ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations.
On the directive of the Hon.Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, a 1-day workshop on NavAid will hold at the Abuja Airport by 10am. The NavAid demonstration will be LIVE here:https://t.co/1pt8Do9BRH
— Tunde Moshood (@TundeMoshoody) March 26, 2025
In his remark, the Department Rector Nigeria College of Aviation Technology NCAT welcomes the NavAidDrone Technology, noting that it will enhance the country’s civil aviation sector.
“Nigeria is the first country to deploy this type of technology “NavAidDrone” in Africa; this shows how the level of commitment the government is making to enhance safety and security.”
A Software Engineer at LiviaSoft Technologies, Bobga Danjuma, said Nigeria and Africa need to join the developed nations in terms of using modern equipment and facilities in airport calibration.
Danjuma noted that the workshop is going to equip the participants to be able to carry out the calibration of airports by themselves.
“It’s cheaper, you can carry the drone in a small pelican and to anywhere in the airport without a pilot”
While responding to questions about the NavAidDrone, the Managing Director of Colibrex NavAidDrone Manufacturer, Luc Haeberle, said the NavAidDrone is a fully integrated measurement drone for specialised field measurements, required for inspection and regular maintenance of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR/DVOR).
“For us, it represents the dedication of several years of effort and investment in the development of a solution that offers multiple advantages, both in terms of measurement quality and remarkable operational efficiency.”
“With the signed contract, Colibrex, together with its technology partner FCS Flight Calibration Services, confirms its leading role in the emerging market of drones for NavAid inspection,” Haeberle added.
One of the participants of the workshop, Engineer Samuel Koji from Ghana, said this is an opportunity for African nations to fully take advantage of the technology, looking at the millions of Naira spent on airport Calibration, but with the emergence of new technology, the cost is less.
“There is so much cost to carry out calibration with aircraft. For hiring the aircraft to come in, and developing countries are parting away with this amount of money as a service provider, it’s not so easy; it has led to most of the countries not being able to follow through with this requirement of making sure that their systems are maintained properly.”
“Drones produce fewer emissions and less noise than traditional calibration aircraft and also help African countries contribute to the UN goal of sustainability. So, it’s a very good initiative and we are happy to be part of it.”
The workshop had in attendance the representative of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo by Mr, Chikwu Michel, Director of Safety, and representative of the Director General Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Engineer Faruk Umar Director of Air Traffic, Mr. John Tayo, among other participants from Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Ghana.
The aviation experts noted that by leveraging drones in airport calibration, airports can improve the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of their operations.
