At just 20 years old, David Opateyibo from Nigeria is gaining global recognition for his expertise in creating and developing drones. David’s passion for technology, particularly aircraft, began when he was young, and he started building paper and cardboard airplanes.
He later enrolled in the International College of Aeronautics in Lagos, Nigeria, for aircraft building technology, where he was so advanced that he was invited to become an instructor while still studying.
In 2017, David gained recognition for building a drone from scratch and presenting it to the state governor. He obtained his remote pilot license (RPL) under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States of America at the age of 19 and became an active member of the Nigeria Unmanned Systems and Robotics Association (NUSA). David also completed a two-year diploma in Applied Aviation Science, leading a team of five students to build an all-metal two-seater airplane, the Zenith CH 750 Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) at the Zenith Aircraft Building Company in Missouri.
David now works as a freelance drone service provider, offering top-notch products and services to various organizations. He believes that drone technology is the future, as drones are now being used to carry out tasks previously only possible with manned aircraft, from military to civilian uses.
He says, “We are in the era of data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and the internet of things (IOT), and with these, we cannot but fathom what the future will bring drones are not going anywhere any time soon.”
When not working on drones, David spends his time building and flying radio-controlled models for fun, helping students with their robotic projects, playing the keyboard, and providing digital services such as writing sales copies for various business products and niches. David’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for technology continue to drive his success in the drone industry.
