David Opateyibo: Builder Of Nigeria’s First Indigenous Drone

A Nigerian teen, David Opateyibo, at 17 years old built Nigeria’s first indigenous drone in Lagos. Opateyibo, who led a team of Lagos State Polytechnic students to manufacture the country’s first prototype of a drone, which Lagos State authorities are hoping to employ for security surveillance in the state.

The drone project is part of the training curriculum in the University with the aim of developing technology that will compete with the rest of the world whilst empowering young people and providing job opportunities.

When tested, Opateyibo’s drone could fly 15 minutes in the air with a maximum altitude of 2000 feet.

The drone is a high breed mix of existing drone components and locally fabricated material.

“Aside from using drones for aerial surveillance, you can also use them for aerial photography and videography, or for broadcasting, incidence control or pipeline and power line inspection. You can also use drones in agriculture, to analyze farm produce,” Opateyibo stated in an interview.

Opateyibo was a student albeit, but he was also one of the associate instructors chosen to take part in building the first aircraft, STOL CH750 at Zenith Aircraft Company’s facility in Missouri US and Mexico.

The aircraft will be the first to be made in Nigeria by five students; Opateyibo, Michael Fakuade, Fausat Idowu, Abdul-Hafeez Onisarotu, and Aliyyah Adio. 

On completion, the plane will be shipped back to Nigeria and put it into use as both a training tool and a functional aeroplane.

Reputation for his enthusiasm in innovation and invention, Opateyibo received his Applied Aviation Science certificate at the International College of Aeronautics, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos State. 

At his leisure, he spends time playing musical instruments, building robots and trying very hard to be a good artist. He will return to Nigeria as a certified Drone Pilots, Drone Instructors and Aircraft Builders and bring back wealth of knowledge to aviation training programs at Lagos State Polytechnic ICA Aviation Centre. 

Asked about what his greatest achievement in life would be, Speaking on his greatest feat in life, Opateyibo said: 

“I have no limit. 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.”