A new chapter has opened for female engineers in Nigeria, as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has partnered with Caverton Helicopters to train women in drone technology—marking a significant step in the country’s drive to empower women and modernize farming.
Ten women drawn from NASENI’s various institutes across the country have begun a six-week intensive training in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at Caverton’s aviation training facility in Ikeja, Lagos. The initiative is part of the broader SHEFLY project, a pioneering effort aimed at bringing drone-powered precision farming to rural communities, with women at the helm.
The SHEFLY project, championed by NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Khalil Suleiman Halilu, aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It is designed not only to train women engineers but to enable them to become trainers themselves—creating a ripple effect that will reach rural women farmers and boost food production nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of NASENI during the training launch, Dr. Abayomi Okesola praised Caverton’s track record and emphasized the project’s goal of equipping women to lead in science and tech. He highlighted that the selected trainees will soon manage local clusters tasked with introducing drone-based solutions to farming challenges in remote communities.
Representatives from Caverton also expressed strong support for the program. The company, known for its aviation and marine operations, underscored that training is at the heart of safety and innovation in the industry. UAVs, they said, represent the future of aviation, and preparing women to master this technology is timely and strategic.
With certification aligned to international standards, the trainees will be positioned to operate within global best practices. Caverton’s drone coordinator, Mr. Ese Obukonise, noted the growing global demand for drone pilots, describing the SHEFLY program as a key to breaking gender barriers in the tech space.
Once the training concludes, these women will return to their zones to equip rural farmers with drone knowledge—helping them monitor crops, improve yield, and adopt smarter farming techniques.
The SHEFLY initiative will soon be officially unveiled at NASENI’s Aeronautic and Air Vehicle Development Institute in Kaduna, signaling a bold shift toward inclusive innovation in agriculture and technology across Nigeria.
