Drone Laws in Nigeria | Flying Permit

Drone regulations Laws in Nigeria

The content on these page is offered based on geoinfotech observation, only as public general information. We do not assure that the information will change or not in due time or accurate, complete or up-to-date. You should always consult and make more findings at http://www.ncaa.gov.ng or a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter.

According to Nigeria’s national aviation authority, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), flying a drone is legal in Nigeria, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations listed below before doing so. If you’d like to contact the NCAA directly before you travel with any questions you might have. [email protected].

General Rules for Flying a Drone in Nigeria

Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Nigeria.

1. It is unlawful to operate a drone without first seeking the required authorisations. Flight plans must be submitted to the NCAA for authorization prior to conducting each individual drone flight within Nigeria.
2. Drones weighing more than 250 grams (.55 pounds) must be registered with the NCAA.
3. Drone operators must obtain a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Certificate prior to flying in Nigeria.
4. All drone operators must be at least 16 years of age or older.
5. Drones may not be operated in a reckless or another manner that may cause harm to person, property, or other aircraft.
6. Do not fly across the border from or into another state.
7. Do not operate over the high seas without proper authorization from Air Traffic Control.
8. A foreign operator from the territory of another State shall not operate an RPA in Nigeria unless it is so authorised by the Authority and holds the associated approvals, conditions and limitations issued to it by the Authority
9. The application can be made to the Authority in the form and manner prescribed by the Authority:
   1. An application for approval to operate into the territory of Nigeria shall be accompanied by a copy of the following, in English translation if the original documents are not in the English language, for each RPA proposed to be operated in Nigeria
   2. A certified true copy of a valid RPAS operator certificate;
   3. Certificate of aircraft registration;
   4. Remote pilot(s) license and medical certificate(s);
   5. Insurance certificate;
   6. Noise certificate issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 16;
   7. Aircraft operator security program; and any other document the Authority considers necessary to ensure that the intended operations will be conducted safely.
   8. An applicant under these Regulations shall apply for the initial issue of a foreign RPA approval at least 90 days before the date of commencement of the proposed operation.
   9. Once authorization has been granted by the Authority, the operator—
   10. Shall file a flight plan prior to operation of an RPA;
   11. Shall notify the Authority and ATC immediately in the event of a flight cancellation, and
   12. Shall, in the case of changes to the proposed flight, submit such changes to the Authority for consideration.

10. All persons who conduct aerial work in Nigeria must comply with the certification requirements of this part.
11. All persons who conduct aerial work in Nigeria must comply with the applicable airworthiness and operational requirements of this Part, except where this part grants relief from those requirements or specifies additional requirements.
12. All persons who conduct aerial work in Nigeria in a remotely piloted aircraft must comply with the requirements for remotely piloted aircraft in Nigeria.
13. No person may engage in aerial work operation unless he/she is a holder of a Permit for Aerial Aviation Services (PAAS) issued by the Authority under

Also, Note Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)

1. Operating Rules. A person operating an RPA shall comply with the general operating rules as listed below
2. A person operating an RPA, registered in Nigeria or holding an operator certificate from Nigeria, and its RPAS, Shall not operate in Nigeria without appropriate authorizations from the Authority and other relevant security agencies,

3. Shall not engage in international air navigation without the appropriate authorisation from the State from which the take-off of the RPA is made.
4. Shall not operate across the territory of another State, without special authorisation issued by each State in which the flight is to operate, which shall be obtained prior to take-off if there is a reasonable expectation when planning the operations, that the aircraft may enter the airspace concerned. Note: This authorisation may be in the form of agreements between the States involved.
5. Shall not operate over the high seas without prior coordination with the appropriate ATS authority, which shall be obtained prior to take-off if there is a reasonable expectation, when planning the operations, that the aircraft may enter the airspace concerned.
6. Shall operate in accordance with conditions specified by the State of Registry, and the State of the Operator if different and the State(s) in which the flight is to operate.
7. Shall ensure that the RPAS meets the performance and equipment carriage requirements for the specific airspace in which the flight is to operate.
8. Once authorization has been received from the Authority, the operator. Shall file a flight plan prior to the operation of an RPA.
9. Shall notify the Authority and ATC immediately in the event of a flight cancellation, and
10. Shall, in the case of changes to the proposed flight, submit such changes to the Authority for consideration.
11. Certificates and Licences. No person may operate an RPA, registered in Nigeria or holding an operator certificate from Nigeria unless the RPA, RPAS and the remote pilot has obtained the proper approvals of the Authority

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA’S AIRSPACE – GUIDANCE

Download the Nigeria-airspace-guidance.pdf or Click here to find out more at the NCAA.gov Website

Drone regulations Laws in Nigeria

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