NLNG, Arco record breakthrough in Nigeria’s drone aerospace

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and Arco Worldwide Services (AWS), have recorded a feat in the aviation industry, with the recent commissioning of  the country’s first commercial Mobile Drone Operations Command Centre (MDOC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Arco Worldwide Services (AWS) developed the MDOC in partnership with NLNG, which represents a landmark achievement in the sector.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Managing Director of Arco Worldwide Services, Mr Okosubide Mozimo, commended NLNG for its forward-thinking support and evolution of the project.

Mozimo also noted that AWS aviation subsidiary, Arco Aviation Academy (AAA), had moved aggressively to close the gap in drone training and operations since 2025.

He said the MDOC, produced through a strategic partnership between NLNG and Arco, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s growing ability to deliver world-class engineering and aviation solutions powered by indigenous expertise.

He said the initiative was geared towards adapting advanced aerospace technology to protect critical national infrastructure.

“The MDOC is a fully customised Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, retrofitted into a climate-controlled command hub. It features in-house air conditioning, integrated green energy powered inverter systems, and a triple-monitoring panel. From this single centre, we can monitor drone operations and communicate directly with air traffic control,” Mozimo said.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Operating Officer of Arco Worldwide Services, Mrs. Ann Temidara, expressed delight over the partnership, describing the project as a breakthrough for the Nigerian drone ecosystem. She said: “We are proud to be launching Nigeria’s first locally-integrated Mobile Ground Control System. While the aerial platforms are procured globally, the customisation, structural integration and operational optimisation were performed entirely by Nigerian engineers to suit our specific environmental and service requirements.”