The Naija Drone Soccer League has launched Nigeria’s first-ever competitive drone soccer league for senior secondary school students, in a move aimed at promoting STEM education, innovation and technology-driven sports development among youths.
The league’s Operations Manager, Alex Orkuma, in a statement said the initiative is designed to combine e-sports, education and emerging technologies by introducing students to drone soccer, a fast-growing global sport that integrates aviation technology, robotics and strategic teamwork.
Orkuma described the project as an innovative platform where science, technology, engineering and mathematics education intersect with competitive sports to equip students with future-ready skills in aerospace, aeronautics, aviation technology, engineering and robotics.
According to him, the initiative is expected to transform classrooms into centres of innovation while building a vibrant national sports ecosystem for students across the country.
“As the world rapidly shifts toward technology-driven economies, the NDSL provides Nigerian students with hands-on exposure to emerging technologies in a structured and competitive environment that nurtures creativity, problem-solving and leadership,” he said.
He added that drone soccer goes beyond recreation, describing it as “a training ground for the future.”
“Through this league, we are building a generation of innovators who will shape Nigeria’s future in technology, aviation and engineering,” Orkuma stated.
The league will provide participating schools with drone soccer kits, technical training and support, while regional qualifiers will culminate in a national championship.
The initiative also includes teacher development and school capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening STEM education and creating pathways for students to access global opportunities in drone technology and related fields.
The NDSL has called on senior secondary schools across Nigeria to register for the inaugural season, noting that early participants would benefit from priority onboarding, technical support and national visibility.
The organisation also appealed to corporate bodies, stakeholders and development partners to support the initiative, saying such partnerships would contribute to youth empowerment, advancement of STEM education and the growth of Nigeria’s emerging drone and robotics ecosystem.
According to the league, the initiative seeks to harness Nigeria’s youthful population by identifying and nurturing future engineers, innovators and technology leaders.
The Naija Drone Soccer League described itself as Nigeria’s first structured drone soccer competition platform dedicated to merging education, innovation and e-sports through national league competitions and practical STEM-based learning opportunities.
