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In a bold display of technology and creativity, Skypixels, a pioneering indigenous tech company, has unveiled Nigeria’s first large-scale drone light show.
This signals a new era in entertainment, advertising and digital storytelling. The event, held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Ikoyi Club, Lagos, brought together a fleet of 1,000 drones, each equipped with GPS and Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning systems, delivering a precision-driven, fully synchronised aerial spectacle.
Speaking at the launch, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rotimi Makanjuola, described the innovation as “the next stage in advancing entertainment technology,” emphasising that drone shows go far beyond traditional fireworks.
“What we have here tonight is called a drone show. If you look at past innovations, we used to have fireworks, which people use during most celebrations. The use of fireworks has its own safety concerns aside from the impact on the environment. So, there has been a shift from that entertainment style into something that is more contemporary and modern,” Makanjuola said.
He explained the advantages of drones over fireworks: “The advantage is drones are used to do something similar to fireworks but even more than what fireworks do. Fireworks can just give you some color displays and sounds, but this is able to give you graphics and text in an animated way as well. These are GPS-enabled drones, with RTK that hooks up to GPS, enabling stability during flight. You need programmers to work on the sequence or flight path that it is going to take.”
Addressing concerns about mid-air collisions, Makanjuola added: “So, the question is: how come they do not collide? It is because each of them has been programmed to have its own flight sequence, and you’re able to come up with the choreography. In other words, you decide how you want it to move in the sky—maybe like flashing text, graphics, or images. It’s available for government agencies, non-government organizations, corporate entities, and even individuals. For instance, if you have a celebration, say a 10th anniversary, you could have the logo up in the air for a maximum period of about 20 minutes.
It also depends on the number of drones and the duration you want it to run.”
SkyPixel Program Coordinator Ese Obukonise highlighted the precision programming behind the spectacle. “People often wonder how 1,000 drones can fly together without crashing. The answer lies in programming. Each drone has its own sequence, and when combined, they create a seamless choreography in the sky. This choreography allows for complex formations, ranging from corporate logos and celebratory messages to intricate animated visuals that transform the night sky into a digital canvas,” she said.
Obukonise also explained the regulatory framework that underpins the operation of the drones. “The company operates under approvals from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and engages with agencies such as the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Security Adviser’s office. Beyond its visual appeal, drone light shows offer significant environmental and safety advantages over traditional fireworks. Fireworks leave marks on the environment through smoke and fumes, whereas drone shows have no emissions.
We also use geofencing and height limits, conduct weather checks, and coordinate with Air Traffic Control to ensure flights are safe and do not interfere with aircraft,” she added.
Makanjuola emphasized the expanding role of drones across sectors. “Drones are being used in agriculture, construction, security, cleaning of solar panels and buildings, and now in advertising and events, especially during festive periods like Ramadan, Easter, Children’s Day, Independence Day, and more. Safety is central to our operations, with multiple fail-safe mechanisms, including geofencing that restricts drones to designated airspace and ‘return-to-home’ features that guide drones back in case of malfunction,” he said.
The Lagos event demonstrated the technology’s capacity to produce precise, programmable visual narratives. Drones danced across the night sky, forming intricate shapes, animated text, and vibrant graphics that rivaled the impact of traditional fireworks, but with a safer and more environmentally friendly footprint.
“We’re happy to be the first company in Nigeria to operate over 1,000 drones capable of creating pictures in the sky. It’s a new way of advancing technology globally. Not many people have seen it before, which is why we’re excited to launch this. The drones reach heights of about 200 feet, and the possibilities for storytelling and branding are endless,” Makanjuola concluded.
The launch of Nigeria’s first large-scale drone light show marks a defining moment in the country’s creative and tech landscape, opening new opportunities for events, corporate promotions, and cultural celebrations while showcasing the potential of homegrown innovation in a rapidly evolving digital era.
