The Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom and Aare Adinni of Owu Muslims, Prince Kazeem Adeyanju Olanrewaju Bakinson, has rolled out an ambitious youth empowerment initiative aimed at preparing young people for opportunities in drone technology and digital mapping.
The programme, powered by the Aare Bakinson Foundation, was originally designed for just 10 participants. However, overwhelming interest has expanded the intake to more than 125 youths, with more still registering.
Speaking at the onboarding session held at Owu Club, Abeokuta, Prince Bakinson said the initiative will expose young people to the vast possibilities within drone mapping, including its value chain and emerging economic prospects.
He explained that the onboarding marks the first stage of the programme, to be followed by virtual learning modules and intensive practical sessions.
Beyond technical capacity-building, Prince Bakinson disclosed that participants will also be supported to obtain official licensing from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ensure they operate legally.
“This onboarding is just the beginning. They will go through online classes and hands-on practicals,” he said. “We are also working toward getting them certified because, according to NCAA regulations, you cannot fly a drone in Nigeria without a licence.”
Prince Bakinson, a trained town planner, noted that his interest in drone mapping is tied to a broader developmental agenda for the Owu Kingdom. He said the technology will play a vital role in actualizing his vision for the “Owu Master Plan,” a long-term spatial development framework.
“My background as a town planner drives this. I’m working on what I call the Owu Master Plan, and drone mapping is a critical tool in bringing that vision to life,” he said.
He added that the initiative is being executed in partnership with Owu youths, the Cathedral Church, and Akinale youths — a collaborative effort aimed at uplifting the entire Owu community.
According to him, the training programme will run until the first quarter of 2026, with participants allowed to specialize in areas such as drone piloting, drone engineering, software sales, and drone-as-a-service operations.
“We will run the training into early 2026. After onboarding, participants will follow a structured schedule for online classes, practicals, and different specialization paths — whether as drone pilots, engineers, or even software vendors,” he explained.
Prince Bakinson also revealed that his foundation, which currently provides annual scholarships to students across Ogun State, is ready to support interested participants with interest-free loans to help them establish drone-related businesses, including drone sales and service delivery.
He noted that the skills acquired through the programme could position participants for opportunities with organisations that require drone services, including oil companies seeking advanced pipeline mapping solutions.
Prince Bakinson expressed confidence that the initiative will contribute significantly to poverty reduction by offering young people practical skills that can generate sustainable income.
“This will take our children off the streets,” he said. “They will gain skills that can help them build better lives for themselves and support their families.”
