17-year-old David Opateyibo, a student of College of Aeronautics, Lagos State Polytechnic recently led a team of scientists who manufactured a drone. In this interview, the teenager, who is also Assistant Instructor at LASPOTECH-ICA Aviation Studies Centre, speaks of the inspiration behind the making of the landmark.
How was the drone project conceived?
The drone project is part of the training curriculum in our institution. The goal is to develop technology which is at par with the rest of the world and which will empower young people and provide job opportunities that are not available now.
There is a partnership between LASPOTECH and the International College of Aeronautics (ICA). What is the nature of this collaboration?
International College of Aeronautics is collaborating with LASPOTECH as the technical partner to bring aviation closer to our technical institution. There is the need to start producing locally to support the fragile aviation industry.
What was your specific role in the project?
I am the lead person. It started as a class project and eventually became a reality when the polytechnic challenged us to produce something that the state governor could see during the last convocation.
Your work has been called the first locally-made drone in Nigeria. Is this correct?
A few people in Nigeria may have actually built drones, but we, as an organisation, are more interested in utilising the technology for various purposes – that is, building them for specific functions.
In what ways would Nigeria benefit from this kind of technology?
Our country can benefit by introducing this technology to support our law enforcement (for surveillance and traffic management), pipeline inspection, agricultural use, aerial photography, broadcasting and film making, geological survey, package delivery and events coverage. This is a technology that will drive the future. We need to be in the game. The benefits of drone technology are immeasurable.
What challenges did you face?
First, we didn’t have enough funding to support the programme. Second, we lacked adequate equipment and tools needed for drone production. However, efforts are underway to overcome the challenges. Moreover, the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has pledged to support us in this project.
How much time and money went into the production of this equipment?
It is hard to quantify the amount of money, but I am sure it is in millions of naira because of research and development that were involved. As we proceed, we won’t have to spend that much money.
I understand the team comprised, exclusively, students of the institution. Was there no external supervision?
The International College of Aeronautics is the technical partner for the drone project. Aside from that, no external body was involved.
What is the next step?
The next step is to continue improving on what we have built. We are definitely working on a new prototype.
If the plan is to produce this in commercial quantity, how much would each cost?
At commercial level, it should be anywhere from N900,000, depending on the specification of the customer. A lot of factors are put into consideration before speculation of price; the function and size of the drone are some of the factors considered.
You study Aircraft Building Technology. Is it your plan to be involved in aircraft construction projects in the future?
Yes. Part of our training curriculum is to build manned aircraft and I plan to be involved.
What kind of certification does the programme offer?
The school offers a diploma course, after which the student can pursue specialised training for NCAA licensing. It is a private institution. The partnership is to provide aviation education within the polytechnic environment. The drone project, of which I am the lead scientist, is the work of one of the departments we have. I will be awarded an ND equivalent which is for Applied Aviation; it is approved by the state Ministry of Education. The ND certification by the Federal Government is underway. In aviation, we work with licences. That is the specialised training I will pursue after my diploma programme.
How long do you think it will take before Nigeria begins to build its own aircraft?
I think in about two years, Nigeria would begin to build its own aircrafts. The support of the government is a determining factor for the actualisation of this.
What do you imagine would be your greatest accomplishment in life?
When it comes to what I want to accomplish in life, I have no limit. But to answer your question, I feel my greatest accomplishment would be influencing as many lives as possible positively; contributing to the development of wherever I find myself. My greatest achievement would be in service. When it comes to what I want to achieve, the sky is the starting point. I want to be a force of progressive and revolutionary change in the world, as a whole.
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