The House of Representatives has moved to position Nigeria as a regional and international hub for drone manufacturing, advancing a bill seeking to establish a legal and institutional framework for developing indigenous capacity to design, produce and commercialise drone technology.

The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and 12 other lawmakers, passed second reading during plenary on Wednesday.

Titled A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Development, Promotion and Industrialisation of the Nigerian Drone Industry and for Related Matters, the proposed legislation seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on imported drone technology by promoting local research, manufacturing, investment and skills development.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, one of its co-sponsors, Satomi Ahmad, said Nigeria needed a coordinated framework to translate technological innovations into commercially viable products capable of meeting domestic demand and competing in international markets.

He said the legislation would promote indigenous research and development, strengthen local manufacturing capacity, attract investment, create jobs and position Nigeria as a competitive centre for drone production and related services.

Ahmad lamented that the country’s dependence on imported technology was limiting opportunities for local innovation, employment generation and industrial growth.

He argued that without deliberate government support for manufacturing and commercialisation, indigenous enterprises could struggle to transform promising ideas into viable products.

The lawmaker urged his colleagues to support the bill, which he said would address these challenges through targeted incentives, government procurement preferences, innovation funding and local-content requirements.

He said, “The future belongs to nations that can transform technological innovation into industrial capacity, economic prosperity and national security.

“Drone technology is increasingly vital to agriculture, infrastructure, emergency response, scientific research and defence. Nigeria must therefore move beyond dependence on imported technology towards developing its own capacity to design, manufacture and commercialise drones.”

The proposed legislation contains 49 clauses divided into 12 parts and provides for the establishment of a National Drone Industrialisation Council to coordinate the development of the industry.

The council would be responsible for coordinating policies, setting development targets, facilitating partnerships, promoting industrial zones and supporting export development.

The bill also mandates the formulation of a National Drone Industrialisation Policy within 12 months of its enactment, with measurable targets for local content, employment, research, manufacturing and exports.

To encourage investment and local production, the proposed law provides for performance-based incentives, including customs and import-duty concessions, research and development tax credits, accelerated capital allowances, grants and concessionary financing.

It also proposes support for certification, infrastructure development and investment, subject to stipulated conditions.

The measures are intended to encourage businesses to invest in domestic production, support indigenous enterprises and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian manufacturers to compete in the growing drone technology market.

Beyond industrial development, the bill provides safeguards for aviation safety, cybersecurity, data protection and national security while preserving the statutory responsibilities of relevant regulatory and defence authorities.

Ahmad said the safeguards were necessary to ensure that the expansion of the industry would be accompanied by responsible technological development and adequate protection of national interests.

He expressed optimism that the proposed legislation, if enacted and effectively implemented, would transform Nigeria from a consumer of drone technology into a producer of indigenous solutions, skilled professionals and competitive industrial products.

According to him, the framework could stimulate investment, create employment opportunities, strengthen national security and open new markets for Nigerian innovations.

The bill was passed through second reading after a voice vote and referred to the relevant committee for further legislative action.