Popular Nigerian skit maker and content creator, Abdulgafar Abiola, popularly known as Cute Abiola, has narrated how he helped turn the aviation dream of young Nigerian drone maker Musa Ali Aola into reality, with support from Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Aola, known as Alidron, developed an interest in aviation at a young age, a passion that led him to build remote-controlled aircraft from scratch before receiving the opportunity to pursue professional pilot training.
His journey, however, went beyond building flying machines. It also involved years of determination, financial challenges and the search for someone willing to recognise his talent and help him achieve his ambition.
In a documentary published on his YouTube channel, The Cute Abiola Studios, on Thursday, Aola expressed gratitude to the comedian, saying his intervention had significantly changed the course of his life.
“You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. You coming into my life has really shaped a lot of things because I never believed I would be here today,” Aola told Abiola.
According to the young aviator, his passion for becoming a pilot inspired him to begin constructing small remote-controlled aircraft, a process that helped him discover his talent for designing flying machines.
“It all started as a passion when I was very, very young. I really had a passion for being a pilot. That actually motivated me to start building remote-control aircraft from scratch, just small toy RC aircraft,” he said.
“I started like that, and that was when I discovered I had a talent for building a flying aircraft.”
How Cute Abiola discovered the young inventor
Recounting how their paths crossed, Abiola said he met Aola on January 21, 2023, when the young inventor was building local drones while searching for an opportunity to advance his aviation ambitions.
In a post on his verified Instagram account, the comedian said he recognised Aola’s potential and decided to support him in pursuing professional pilot training.
“I saw something in him. I decided to believe in him, support him and help him take the next step,” Abiola said.
Aola disclosed that he had reached out to the comedian through Instagram after years of hoping that someone would recognise his talent and give him an opportunity to develop it.
He had initially imagined that an individual might discover his abilities and sponsor him abroad to pursue his dream.
“I was very sure that I would see one white guy who would just say, ‘Oh, you are talented. Let me take you abroad.’ That was just my belief,” he said.
However, his opportunity came through Abiola, whose intervention helped him progress from obtaining a private pilot licence to completing the training required for a commercial pilot licence.
Aola also credited a friend who graduated from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, as an aircraft maintenance engineer, saying the friend’s progress encouraged him to remain committed to his own ambitions.
AbdulRazaq’s role in the journey
Abiola acknowledged the contribution of Governor AbdulRazaq, whom he introduced to Aola as the young man sought support for his aviation training.
According to the comedian, the governor subsequently provided assistance that helped Aola pursue his professional training at the International Aviation College, Ilorin.
Staff members of the institution described Aola as a committed student who demonstrated enthusiasm and a clear understanding of his goals.
The college’s director, retired airline captain Yakubu Okatahi, also commended the Kwara State Government for supporting aviation training and helping the young man advance his career.
Okatahi noted that becoming a pilot required discipline, dedication and the ability to meet demanding professional standards.
“It is not always easy. We have had a lot of people who wish to become pilots, but if you do not put in the dedication, effort and commitment, you will fall short,” he said.
The documentary also captured Abiola accompanying Aola on a flight at the college, giving the content creator an opportunity to witness the progress of the person whose ambition he had supported.
Reflecting on the experience, Abiola described being flown by Aola as a proud moment.
“Seeing someone I once believed in now flying me in an actual plane, honestly, it was a very proud moment for me,” he said.
Why Aola needs more financial support
Despite obtaining his commercial pilot licence, Aola said he still needed additional training known as a type rating before he could operate certain larger aircraft.
He explained that the qualification allows pilots to fly specific aircraft types and can be a significant financial hurdle for aspiring aviators.
According to him, the training could cost about $30,000, making it the next major challenge in his professional journey.
Abiola disclosed that he had spent more than ₦30m on Aola’s training and related expenses, with the total approaching ₦40m when accommodation costs were included.
The comedian subsequently appealed to Nigerians and members of the diaspora to contribute towards the funding of Aola’s type-rating qualification.
“I am begging Nigerians. Please come through for my brother and let us do this together. I will make sure anything I can still support him with, I will,” he said.
“Let us gather that money and make sure we are part of this history till the end. That type rating must come true.”
Aola, in turn, expressed appreciation to Abiola, AbdulRazaq and others who had supported his journey, describing their intervention as an important turning point in his life.
Beyond piloting, Aola remains committed to drone development
While pursuing a career as a commercial pilot, Aola has continued to develop his interest in drone technology.
During the documentary, he took Abiola to his parents’ residence, where he maintains a small workshop for designing and building drones.
He showcased a surveillance drone model called “Aerovant”, which he said was being developed for civilian and military applications.
According to Aola, the proposed model is designed with vertical take-off and landing capabilities, allowing it to operate in locations with limited space. He added that he was still refining its design and making adjustments following test flights.
Aola also expressed an ambition to expand his technical knowledge through aeronautical engineering, which he believes could strengthen his ability to design and build aircraft.
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“With the additional knowledge of aeronautical engineering, I can build an actual aircraft from the beginning to the end,” he said, while acknowledging that such a project would require collaboration and expertise from different professionals.
“Building an aircraft is not just something you can do alone.”
His journey highlights how personal determination, mentorship and financial support can help young Nigerians pursue careers in specialised fields where the cost of training often stands between talent and opportunity.
For Aola, becoming a commercial pilot represents a major milestone, but his ambition to develop indigenous drone technology remains alive as he works towards the next stage of his aviation career.