Drone Laws in Nigeria
Written by Francis Markert | Last update on 7. August 2026 | 22 comments
Learn in this article what rules apply to drones in Nigeria.
The operation of drones is regulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The current rulebook is Part 21 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.
In Nigeria, drones count as security-relevant technology. To import one, you first need an End-User Certificate (EUC), which you apply for through the EUC portal of the National Security Adviser. Without it, customs can hold your drone when you enter the country. Among other things, the portal asks for a letter of recommendation from the NCAA, proof of ownership or a pro forma invoice, and a current tax clearance certificate. For tourists, that is a heavy bureaucratic burden.
In Nigeria, all drones weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms have to be registered through the NCAA’s RPAS portal. Anyone who skips this registration risks a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years.
Part 21 distinguishes drones first by weight:
- Small: over 250 grams up to 25 kilograms, within visual line of sight only
- Medium: over 25 up to 150 kilograms
- Large: over 150 kilograms
And second by the risk of the operation. These three categories are not tied to any weight:
- Open: lowest risk, no prior authorisation needed, but the drone has to be registered
- Specific: higher risk, authorisation by the NCAA required
- Certified: drone, operator and pilot all have to be certified; the drone is largely treated like manned aviation
Only Nigerian nationals, people with permanent residence, companies registered in Nigeria and public authorities can be entered in the Nigerian register. As a traveller, you therefore do not register your drone in Nigeria: if you have already registered it in your home country, you provide proof of that and apply to the NCAA for an operating authorisation.
Overview: Drone rules in Nigeria
In Nigeria, all drones weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms have to be registered through the NCAA’s RPAS portal. Only Nigerian nationals, people with permanent residence, companies registered in Nigeria and public authorities can be entered. Foreign pilots provide proof of their home country registration and have the operation authorised by the NCAA.
Civil aviation authority: [email protected]
Further requirements for drone pilots in Nigeria
Drone flights are only allowed in daylight and within visual line of sight. The maximum altitude is 400 feet (120 meters) above ground. Keep at least 30 meters away from people not involved in the flight. Flights over populated areas and in prohibited or restricted areas are not permitted.
For private and recreational flights, a distance of 10 kilometers from every aerodrome, helipad and heliport applies on top of that. The 4 kilometers you often see quoted refer to the movement area of controlled aerodromes and apply to the general operating conditions, not to recreational flying.
You may only fly over incident sites of the fire service, the police or other emergency and security forces with the consent of the incident commander. For flights in controlled airspace, you need clearance from the responsible air traffic control unit.
In Nigeria, you are not allowed to fly your drone without insurance: you need minimum cover that matches the risk of the operation and includes third-party liability. Proof of insurance has to be presented to the NCAA.
In case of an incident, you have to inform the NCAA by the fastest possible means and submit a report within 72 hours.
Camera drones are subject to explicit privacy rules: you may neither monitor people without their consent nor private property without the consent of the owners. Photos and video of individual people intended for publication also require their consent. News reporting is exempt, as are events and places to which the public is invited.
Have you already travelled in Nigeria with your drone? Leave us a comment below this post, especially about importing a drone and the EUC procedure.
We have researched the listed drone regulations for Nigeria to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your home country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Nigeria!
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Hello, please i would like to start a commercial drone business, and i need a mentorship to do that.
Yes
What if my drone isn’t as heavy as 250kg
Hello I bought a drone online in 2018 it was seized by customs I don’t know what to do, it was for film making I don’t think it was up to 250kg. A Chinese drone for that matter
Customs just seized my drone too…what could be the cause? 😳😳😳
Unfortunately, we don’t know why the drones have been seized. They don’t appear on the list of prohibited items on the Nigerian Customs website. We can only speculate that there may be a customs tax required, but without further information, we don’t know what to look for.
Hi,
I just bought a drone online from the US. Will it be siezed also in customs?
Pls advise.
Hello Antonio,
Some of our readers have reported that their drones got confiscated, but we don’t know the reasons behind it. If you want to be on the safe side, we recommend you contact customs directly and ask if there’s anything you should be doing, like fill out a form or pay customs tax. You can find the contact information for the Nigerian Customs Service here. We would be grateful if you shared what you found out here because it would help other readers too.
Thanks for the info. I cancelled my order before it got shipped.
Now, i found some local seller of the same type and I guess it is safer to buy locally. I just need to add around 10 to 15% to the price abroad.
Hi Antonio. Where did you buy the drone from? Do you mind sharing?
Your drone were probably seized because you don’t have a license to import from the NSA
Check that out
How about travelling with your drone outside the country (Nigeria), any chance one might have issues at the airport ?
If Yes, are there measures to take to prevent such incidents
Dear Drone Traveller Team,
Thanks for the tips, quite educative.
I am looking at procuring an Agricultural drone and have sent an email to NCAA for them to avail me all required i for ma ti on prior to making commitments.
I will sure share the outcome here for all to benefit once i get their response.
Best regards
Hi, we’re very happy that you’re thinking of sharing the information here. Thank you!
Hello thanks for replying, about the details what happened was I got a notice from the costumes at the airport in may 2018 it said the drone was detained till I presented an end user certificate, i had bought it online. I checked online and saw the drone is heavier than 250g. So, I don’t know what can be done.
Hello, please i would like to start a commercial drone business, and i need a mentorship to do that.
Hello Emmanuel,
We can’t help you with this but maybe one of our readers will. Good luck!
@Yilan You cannot do anything unfortunately.
Hi Emmanuel, it’s very interesting to hear this, I’m planning the same and i’ve got necessary information required. If it’s okay for you, can we speak more together on this? you can reach me on telegram: @Skyrock_Aviation
@Reginald, how can something not be done? What if he presents the End User Certification?
Hello .. I’m planing on creating locally made drones in Nigeria, I’ll like to know the required license I might need to start. Thank you
Hi,
Sorry, we don’t have much experience with this, so we can only refer you to the Aviation Authority. There might be other authorities involved if you are also selling the products you have created.