Nigeria's NAMA Unifies Airspace Control with New Abuja Flight Centre Deal

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has signed a contract.

This contract is for a new corporate headquarters in Abuja. It also includes a centralized Air Traffic Management Centre.

This project represents a major shift for Nigeria's airspace control. It moves the country toward a unified national system.

Strategic Centralization

NAMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, called the facility a strategic investment. It is designed to align Nigeria with global aviation standards. The new building will house NAMA’s administrative offices. Crucially, it will also contain the high-tech center for managing the country’s entire airspace.

This centralization effort merges existing functions. The Kano Area Control Centre and the Lagos Area Control Centre will consolidate into the new Abuja hub.

Farouk stated this consolidation will boost operational efficiency. It will also enhance safety oversight. The goal is to strengthen Nigeria's compliance with ICAO safety requirements. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets the global standards for air navigation services.

Engineering and Regulatory Oversight

The project contractor is NHD Interbiz Projects Limited. NAMA has directed them to prioritize engineering excellence. The facility will hold sensitive flight safety infrastructure. Therefore, no compromise on construction quality is permitted.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo secured the necessary Federal Executive Council approval for the project. Farouk credited the Minister's support and NAMA’s legal team.

Director of Legal Services Rita Egbadon noted the extensive legal planning. This planning ensures the contract protects public interests. She described the signing as a landmark achievement. It ends an era where the agency operated from facilities that did not reflect its national mandate.

Industry Impact

This move is vital for Nigerian air navigation services.

• Airlines and Pilots: A centralized system offers more consistent control. This can lead to reduced delays and better traffic flow management.
• Safety: Integrating control systems improves situational awareness for controllers. This directly enhances safety across the Nigerian airspace.
• Technology: The new center is expected to integrate advanced technological solutions. This includes modern surveillance and communication systems, aligning with global trends.

This development is a key step toward modernizing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, as reported in the latest commercial aviation news. The NAMA Abuja headquarters will serve as a single, resilient operational hub for the nation’s skies.