NASENI and Caverton Helicopters Train Female Engineers on UAVs for Agricultural Innovation

Director Corporate Services, Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Ayodele Omueti (middle) in a group photograph with NASENI female UAV trainees and other Caverton Helicopters officials during the onboarding ceremony at the Caverton MRO Facility in Ikeja Airport, Lagos on Tuesday April 8, 2025.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has partnered with Caverton Helicopters to launch the second batch of a groundbreaking training program for 10 female engineers and scientists in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) technology. This initiative is a part of the ongoing NASENI-Caverton partnership aimed at advancing the aviation mandate of NASENI and empowering rural women in Nigeria.

The six-week training commenced on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Caverton Helicopters’ training school in Ikeja, Lagos. It is a critical part of the SHEFLY project, an innovative initiative championed by Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI. The project aims to equip rural women with drone technology to enhance precision farming, thereby improving agricultural productivity and aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic and social development.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Abayomi Okesola, the team lead for the NASCAV project, welcomed the trainees, acknowledging Caverton’s exceptional track record in both the aviation and marine sectors. He highlighted the SHEFLY project as particularly important for advancing women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, addressing gender disparities in these areas. He further emphasized that the selected trainees from various NASENI institutes were chosen to manage regional clusters aimed at training rural women in drone technology for agricultural advancement.

In his address, Captain Bello Ibrahim, the Managing Director of Caverton Helicopters, represented by Mr. Ayodele Omueti, Director of Corporate Services, commended the collaboration and reiterated Caverton’s commitment to safety and excellence in aviation. He underscored the significance of UAVs as modern aircraft and noted the importance of staying current with global technological advancements. Captain Ibrahim urged the trainees to remain focused throughout the training, ensuring they gain the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact.

Mr. Ese Obukonise, Project Coordinator for Caverton Drones, elaborated on the training’s adherence to rigorous aerodynamic principles and international standards, with certification from a UK licensing authority. He emphasized the global demand for UAV pilots, pointing out that the SHEFLY project is not only advancing gender inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated field but also opening doors for women to capitalize on emerging opportunities in drone technology.

Upon completion of the program, the trainees will play a pivotal role in training rural women farmers across Nigeria to use UAVs for precision farming, boosting crop yields, and enhancing food security. The SHEFLY project will soon be officially launched at the Aeronautic and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI) of NASENI in Kaduna, with a focus on improving agricultural outcomes, empowering women, and fostering sustainable farming practices. Through this initiative, NASENI and Caverton Helicopters are making a significant contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural sector and the empowerment of rural women.