Managing Director of ARCO Worldwide Services Limited, Okosubide Mozimo, has said the ongoing Middle East conflict underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt and deploy drone technology to strengthen national security and drive economic growth.

Speaking at the weekend in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ARCO and the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Mozimo warned that modern conflicts, such as the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, have shown that drones are now central to military operations.

The pact, signed by Mozimo on behalf of ARCO and the Director-General of NACETEM, Dr Olushola Odusanya, aims to foster collaboration in research, capacity-building, and innovation in drone technology.

It also seeks to train young Nigerians in the production, piloting, and maintenance of drones for sectors including security, agriculture, oil and gas, healthcare, and infrastructure monitoring.

Mozimo said drones have become very important and applicable in many areas, and have become a major job-creating innovation.

The ARCO boss said the ongoing war between America, Israel and Iran has clearly shown how critical drones have become in modern warfare, and that Nigeria could not afford to ignore the technology.

On his part, Odusanya said his organisation was prepared to see innovations in science and technology translate into tangible commercial products in the country, and therefore impact on the Nigerian economy.

He noted, however, that innovation thrives only when ecosystems have been built, and they use commercial products.