Building Indigenous Robotics Capacity in Nigeria Through Drone-Led Industrialization: Analytical Review

Countries across the globe have their respective and unique challenges per time. Presently, it does appear like prominent among the numerous challenges confronting Nigeria as a country are those of acute unemployment of her teaming youthful population and her continuous dependence on imported technology. Drone-led industrialization presents a viable pathway for building indigenous robotics capacity while addressing needs in agriculture, security, logistics, and infrastructure. This analytical review examines existing literature from 2015 to 2025 to assess Nigeria’s current robotics ecosystem, her policy environment, the skill gaps, and the role of drones as an entry technology. Findings reveal that while innovation hubs and academic programs are rapidly emerging, challenges still exist with issues of funding, regulatory uncertainty, power supply, and limited Research & Development. The review deduces that drone technology offers the easiest route of entry for indigenous robotics due to modularity, market demand, and transferable skills. Recommendations therefore, center on targeted policy, university-industry linkage, and the establishment of robotics testbeds. No doubt, building indigenous capacity requires moving beyond importation to design, manufacturing, and maintenance within the shores of Nigeria.