20-Year-Old David Opateyibo Revolutionizes Aeronautics with Locally Made Drone
His fascination with technology and aircraft led him to enroll in the International College of Aeronautics, Nigeria, where he delved into aircraft building technology (ABT). Opateyibo's advanced knowledge in aircraft technology even led to an invitation to become an instructor while still a student.
AKACHI NOEL 
In a groundbreaking achievement, 20-year-old Nigerian innovator David Opateyibo has introduced Nigeria's first locally made drone. Having embarked on this ambitious journey at the age of 17, Opateyibo's passion for technology and aircraft has now positioned him as a trailblazer in aeronautical engineering.Leading a team of students at Lagos State Polytechnic, Opateyibo unveiled the country's first drone prototype, specifically designed for potential deployment in security surveillance by Lagos authorities.
His fascination with technology and aircraft led him to enroll in the International College of Aeronautics, Nigeria, where he delved into aircraft building technology (ABT). Opateyibo's advanced knowledge in aircraft technology even led to an invitation to become an instructor while still a student.The locally made drone, built with a high-hybrid mix of existing drone components and locally fabricated materials, demonstrated an impressive flight time of 15 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 2000 feet during testing.
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Opateyibo emphasized the multifaceted applications of drones, including aerial surveillance, photography, videography, broadcasting, incident control, and inspection of pipelines and power lines. He also highlighted their potential in agriculture for analyzing farm produce.
Notably, Opateyibo acquired his remote pilot license (RPL) in the United States at the age of 19 under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Actively engaged in advancing unmanned systems, he is a member of the Nigeria Unmanned Systems and Robotics Association (NUSA).
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Beyond his achievements in drone technology, Opateyibo completed a 2-year diploma in Applied Aviation Science, leading a team in constructing a metal 2-seat airplane. This aircraft, the STOL CH750, is the first of its kind in the country, built by five students at the International College of Aeronautics.
Expressing his belief in the future of drone technology, Opateyibo stated, "We are in the era of data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and the internet of things (IOT), and with these, we cannot but fathom what the future will bring; drones are not going anywhere any time soon."
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In addition to his technical pursuits, Opateyibo finds joy in building and flying radio-controlled models, assisting students with robotic projects, playing the keyboard, and offering various digital services.
