Shamsuddeen Jibril lives in the Kawo area of Kaduna. Born in Bagaldi community of Soba LGA in Kaduna State, the 19-year-old, said he sat for WAEC and NECO in 2019 – and passed both with nine credits. In this interview, he spoke about how his passion for technological inventions made him to create a drone.

How did you start technological innovations?

I started my technology innovations since when I was in SS2. I started it when my jet club teacher, Malama Aisha asked us to go and innovate something. My friend, Haruna Badamasi started constructing a car, then I said I will construct aeroplane that will fly. And so I started the construction of my plane with a Pepsi bottle and carton, DVD motor, remote control battery, wires and metal for the propeller.

That was my first construction but it didn’t fly because I didn’t put in somethings that will make it to fly. However, I kept the dream of seeing my aeroplane flying. After that my friend advised me to go to the Airforce Institute of Technology, Kaduna to get some ideas. My jet club teacher wrote a letter and it was signed by my principal to the institute.

The officials showed me on how an aeroplane works; the control functions and also on how I can make the body which has to be aerodynamic and the wing has to be aerofoil in shape. I learnt about constructing the elevator, wings and rudder and I started again with the help of my friend who was constructing a car.

How many things have you constructed?

I constructed helicopter and an aeroplane. I also constructed a detector to find an exclusive device and also for security purposes because I mounted camera on it. I use foam for the construction of some chemicals to make the foam smooth so that I can obtain the aerodynamic shape and aerofoil shape. I programme my transmitter and receiver with Arduino JavaScript software.

Do you get support for these innovations?

Yes. I have received assistance from one philanthropist. Her name is Nkemdilim Anulika Ofodile, who taught me some things on how to construct the aeroplane. I also thank her for her support to see my dream come true to see that I make it fly. May God bless her.

I need assistance to continue my study so that I will learn more on how to construct bigger planes and drones. We will no longer go to other countries to buy them. Also, the government should sponsor more youths like us to study so that our country will achieve its goals in technology development.

What are your aspirations as you further your study?

I want to be an aeronautical engineer and then I will go to piloting. I want to be a “test pilot” in terms of engineering new planes. That is what I want to be in future.

How does your drone work?

There are four forces that are acting on it. They are the thrust, lift, drag and weight; they make it to fly.

There is also a transmitter and receiver that is being programmed with Arduino JavaScript software to control the sensor. That is the movable device that controls the elevator, wings and the rudder.

Why did you develop the drone?

I started this innovation to benefit in the area of technology. And in agriculture, I want farmers to have ease in farming in terms of spraying herbicides and pesticides. The drone can also be used to secure our country.