By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, Northern Nigeria
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Caverton Helicopters have commenced the second batch of training for 10 selected female engineers and scientists from NASENI system-wide in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) technology, Cyber Era NG learns, according to a press statement e-signed by the Director Information at NASENI, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan.
We gather that the six-week training programme, which kicked off on Monday, April 7, 2025 at Caverton’s training school in Ikeja, Lagos, is part of the NASENI-Caverton, (NASCAV) ongoing partnership agreement to strengthen the aviation mandate of NASENI.
The training is a key component of the SHEFLY project, a pioneering initiative by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, aimed at empowering rural women to leverage drone technology for precision farming and increased agricultural yields, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, the team Lead NASCAV project, who spoke on behalf of NASENI management, Dr. Abayomi Okesola welcomed the trainees to the epoch training exercise with CAVERTON, citing them as worthy partners due to their impressive track record in aviation and marine spaces.
Dr. Okesola said the SHEFLY project was very dear to the heart of the EVC/CEO NASENI who perceived the exercise as a valuable initiative to promote women in STEM fields and bridge the existing gender gap. Dr Abayomi said the selection of female trainees from the various institutes across different zones was a deliberate effort to enable them manage clusters that would be set up to train rural women in drone technology for enhanced agricultural activities nationwide.
In his welcome address, the MD CAVERTON Helicopters Captain Bello Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director, Corporate Services, Ayodele Omueti noted that CAVERTON was a conglomerate with diverse interests in aviation, marine and training, emphasizing that training was essential for ensuring safety and accountability.
Mr. Omueti stated that UAVs were among the modern aircraft in the aviation sector, stressing that “the training is timely to ensure we remain current with global technological advancements”. He therefore urged the trainees to stay focused to acquire the knowledge they have come for.
On his part, the Project Coordinator CAVERTON Drones, Ese Obukonise stated that the training adhered to aerodynamic principles and was certified by a UK license Authority, ensuring compliance with international standards and best practices. Mr. Obukonise said this would enable the trainees maximize their potentials and contribute effectively to NASENI’s initiatives.
Obukonise noted that the demand for UAV pilots in the world was exceptionally high and the SHEFLY project would not only promote gender inclusiveness in a male dominated field but also empower women to capitalize on emerging opportunities in UAV technology adding, upon completion, the female trainees would in turn, train rural women farmers to utilize drone technology to improve and boost farm yields.
The SHEFLY project, which will be launched soon at the Aeronautic and Air Vehicle Development Institute, AAVDI, of NASENI in Kaduna, is designed to enhance food security, improve crop yields, and increase the income of rural women farmers. The project’s objectives include training and deploying female drone pilots to support precision farming, enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, empowering rural women to adopt innovative technologies, and fostering sustainable agriculture practices.
