CHUKS OKOH
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says it is establishing a dedicated Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic (UTM) unit to drive integration with existing air navigation systems, deploy surveillance infrastructure, and coordinate with civil and military authorities.
This is to bridge the gap of complexity due to a surge in licensed and unlicensed drone operators, as well as growing demand for advanced operations like Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
While regulatory frameworks and licensing systems are already in place, a fully integrated UTM platform is still in development.
The Director of Air Traffic services, NAMA Mr John Tayo, in a paper presented at the 6th Droneteck 2026 held at the Nigav Event and Expo Centre Lagos, titled, ‘Emmerging Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management UTM Operations in Nigeria Airspace’ said, system will also feature geo-fencing to restrict access to sensitive zones, real-time tracking of drone movements, and conflict detection tools to prevent mid-air incidents.
According Mr Tayo, the agency is also investing in technologies such as multilateration to improve low-altitude monitoring adding that despite progress, challenges remained, including limited surveillance infrastructure, communication constraints, regulatory enforcement gaps and cybersecurity risks.
Tayo, explained that a functional UTM system, will boost aviation safety, unlock new economic opportunities in the drone sector, enhance national security surveillance, and create jobs in emerging technology fields.
According to the DATs, globally, aviation bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have already rolled out UTM models, offering templates Nigeria is adapting to its local context through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The director explained that the UTM was designed to manage high volumes of drone traffic through automation, real-time data exchange and coordination among regulators, operators and service providers.
“Drone operations are transforming aviation globally, and Nigeria must build a system that ensures safety while unlocking economic potential,”
He explained that while traditional air traffic control ensures the safe separation of manned aircraft, the explosion of low-altitude drone operations requires a new, digital-first approach.
Under the proposed framework, every drone will be registered and digitally identifiable, with operators required to obtain airspace authorization before flights.
He outlined a roadmap that includes developing a national UTM policy, deploying digital platforms, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and launching pilot projects in key cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
“The integration of drones into our airspace is inevitable,” he said. “What matters is building a system that keeps our skies safe while enabling innovation.”
With drone applications expanding rapidly, Nigeria’s move toward a coordinated traffic management system signals a decisive step toward a smarter, more secure aviation future.
