Nigerian Agency Trains Female Engineers in Drone Technology for Rural Farming Project

Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has begun training a second group of female engineers and scientists in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology, as part of a project aimed at empowering rural women in agriculture.

The six-week training program, which commenced on Monday in Lagos, is a collaboration between NASENI and Caverton Helicopters, a Nigerian aviation and marine services company. It is a key component of NASENI’s “SHEFLY” initiative, spearheaded by the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Halilu.

The SHEFLY project aims to equip rural women with drone technology for precision farming, with the goal of increasing agricultural yields. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” according to NASENI.

Speaking on behalf of NASENI management, Abayomi Okesola, the team lead for the NASENI-Caverton project, welcomed the trainees, highlighting Caverton’s track record in aviation and marine sectors. He emphasized that the SHEFLY project is a priority for the NASENI leadership, viewing it as a valuable initiative to promote women in STEM fields and address the gender gap. The selection of female trainees from various institutes across Nigeria is a deliberate effort to enable them to manage training clusters for rural women nationwide.

Representing Caverton Helicopters, the Director of Corporate Services, Ayodele Omueti, underscored the importance of training for safety and accountability in the aviation sector, noting that UAVs are a modern advancement. He urged the trainees to focus on acquiring the necessary knowledge.

The Project Coordinator for Caverton Drones, Ese Obukonise, stated that the training adheres to international aerodynamic principles and is certified by a UK licensing authority. He added that the high global demand for UAV pilots presents significant opportunities, and the SHEFLY project aims to promote gender inclusivity in this traditionally male-dominated field. Upon completion of their training, these female engineers and scientists will then train rural women farmers to utilize drone technology to improve their agricultural output.

The SHEFLY project is set to be launched soon at NASENI’s Aeronautic and Air Vehicle Development Institute in Kaduna. Its objectives include enhancing food security, improving crop yields, increasing the income of rural women, promoting the adoption of innovative technologies in agriculture, and fostering sustainable farming practices.