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Tag: Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)

  • NAMA commits to modern technology

    NAMA commits to modern technology

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has expressed its commitment to embrace  the adoption of modern technology in the fast evolving  air traffic navigation global space , saying it will ensure the continuous training of  Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP).

    Its Managing Director, Engineer Farouk Umar Ahmed disclosed this at the weekend.

    Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAEE), in Lagos, the NAMA boss said the agency’s management is working round the clock to see that all the operational, administrative and general welfare of ATSEP receives deserved attention.

    He emphasized that the  theme of this year’s AGM “Safety, Efficiency and Innovation: The Triple Mandate of Air Traffic Engineers” captured the essence of the transformation currently shaping the global airspace management landscape.

    He said :” In a world where technological evolution continues to redefine aviation, our responsibility is not only to keep pace but to lead with clarity, competence, and creativity.

    “As Air Traffic Engineers, you occupy a strategic position in sustaining the integrity of our Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure. Your expertise remains the backbone of safe and efficient air traffic management. Every radar sweep, every communication channel, every navigational aid, and every emerging digital system depends on your vigilance, precision, and innovation.

    At NAMA, we recognize your work. We value your contribution.

    “ And we remain fully committed to supporting a professional environment where your skills can flourish and where modern technology and continuous training are prioritized.”

    He said the  agency’s ongoing modernization efforts from communication navigation and surveillance (CNS ) upgrades to advanced automation systems are built on a foundation strengthened by  the competence and dedication ATSEP personnel.

    “This gathering is not only an opportunity for technical dialogue; it is also a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and alignment with global best practices. I urge you to engage deeply, share boldly, and challenge conventional thinking as we collectively shape the future of air navigation services in Nigeria.

    “As we look toward the coming year, NAMA will continue to work closely with NAAE to improve system reliability, foster innovation-driven operations, and build a workforce that is adaptable, empowered, and future-ready.

    Read Also: Offsetting N4tn legacy debts to Gen Cos good for power sector – Transafam boss

    “Let me commend your commitment, especially in the face of operational and infrastructural challenges. Your resilience continues to uphold the safety of Nigerian airspace, and for that, the nation remains grateful.”

    Also speaking, Managing Directir of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, commended ATSEP personnel for their role in driving the national airspace architecture.

    The FAAN boss said :” Your role is the very trinity upon

    which the modern, resilient, and competitive aviation ecosystem rests. While the visible elements of air travel capture public attention, it is your expertise that powers the invisible network–the radars that see, the navigation aids that guide, the communication systems that

    connect, and the surveillance infrastructure that assures.

    “You are the guardians of the technical integrity upon which every safe landing and take-off depends. FAAN  as the provider of critical

    airport infrastructure, acknowledges and values this symbiotic relationship. Our terminals run

    smoothly only because your systems in the tower and the field operate flawlessly.

    “ The collaboration and knowledge sharing that occur here directly translate to

    enhanced safety and efficiency across Nigeria’s air navigation system. The challenges we

    face-from aging infrastructure to the rapid evolution of technology and increasing traffic

    demands-require the very collaborative spirit this forum fosters.

    “ This is why safety will always remain, non-negotiable. It is the foundation. We at FAAN are

    committed to partnering with you and all agencies to ensure that the technical working environment and the support for your mission-critical systems meet the highest global.”

    In his presentation, former NAMA MD, Captain Roland Iyayi said the role of ATSEP personnel is increasingly becoming relevant in the air travel space because air traffic management  systems must balance multiple performance

    dimensions by formalizing the safety plus efficiency and modernization mandate.

    Iyayi said : “ The triple mandate” of safety, efficiency/regularity, and

    systemicperformance/modernization for ANSPs is not a single clause,

    but an emergent property of ICAO’s regulatory architecture.

    “The future of Air Traffic Management depends on this synergy, ensuring that the global airspace system remains safe, scalable, and prepared for emerging aviation challenges and developments.

     “Traditional ATM systems are

    being pushed to their limits by traffic growth, new airspace users,

    environmental pressures, and demand for capacity.

    To meet these ever-evolving challenges—without undermining operational

    safety and while keeping the system economically viable and sustainable— the sector must embrace innovation in a structured, regulated, and human-centric way.”

  • Port Harcourt Airport reopens after Air Peace incident

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has reopened the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in Rivers following Saturday’s incident involving an Air Peace aircraft at the airport.

    The General manager Public Relations, NAMA, Mr Khalid Emele, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

    Emele said Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to airlines concerning the reopening of the runway which was closed after an Air Peace Flight P47291 overshot the runway on Saturday.

    Also, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), confirmed that the B737-500 aircraft had been towed from the site.

    Read Also: Air Peace: Soaring in spite of huge odds

    Yakubu said the aircraft was removed from the runway by FAAN in collaboration with the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

    Air Peace aircraft with registration number 5N-BRN from Abuja carrying 94 passengers and six crew members on board had overshot the runway at the Port Harcourt Airport.

    However, all the passengers and crew members were safely evacuated after the incident which is already being probed by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

    NAN

  • NAMA chief to unions: embrace peace

    Industrial unions and professional associations  have been urged to sustain the harmony in the sector by embracing peaceful  engagement with their management.

    Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director Capt. Fola Akinkuotu gave this charge at an interactive session with  unions and representatives of professional bodies at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

    He said the call became necessary as “no organisation can thrive in an atmosphere of rancour and disharmony.

    Capt. Akinkuotu praised the unions for their cooperation  to his administration. He urged them to communicate with management on any issues requiring attention.

    “There were many instances where the boat could have been rocked but the unions or associations came together and we were able to resolve the issue or reached some kind of consensus and it has worked well for us,” he said.

    The NAMA boss cautioned staff members over unnecessary and frivolous expenditure, such as “incurring duty tour allowances (DTA) for flimsy reasons,” saying that  they  should apply moderation and minimize wastage to enable the agency channel its resources towards more meaningful ventures.

    Read Also: How we brought peace, security to Oyo- Ajimobi

    Akinkuotu  decried the indebtedness of state aerodromes to the agency, noting that efforts were being made to prevail on defaulting state governments to pay.

    On the condition of service, among other entitlements to staff workers, the NAMA helmsman said NAMA management would ensure that approval was given by the government.

    He revealed that a meeting had been slated between NAMA management and relevant government agencies to hold before the end of the month  to resolve the issue.

    Earlier, the NAMA’s Director of Human Resources and Administration Maira Bashir said the forum was aimed at fostering harmony in the workplace.

    “Over the past two years, we have co-existed in harmony and it is our prayer that this relationship anchored on friendship, mutual respect and maturity shall continue to blossom,” Bashir said.

  • ‘Airports operated 24 hours on Feb.15 to distribute INEC materials’

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)  on Sunday said that  it ensured a 24-hour operation at all Nigerian airports on Feb. 15 to facilitate the transportation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) materials nationwide.

    The General Manager, Public Affairs of  NAMA, Mr Khalid Emele, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had announced the rescheduling of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections from Feb.16 to Feb. 23 due to logistics reasons.

    Read Also: UN, foreign observers seek support for INEC

    Emele said the provision of the 24-hour navigation services was based on the directive from the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.

    He added  that there was no disruption in the provision of air traffic services on Feb. 16.

    According to him, this was in keeping with the agency’s mandate of providing uninterrupted safe, effective, efficient, and economic air navigation services in the country.

    “NAMA wishes to reassure all airspace users and the general public that the Nigerian airspace shall remain open for all airspace users before, during and after the rescheduled general elections.

    “The agency has put in place appropriate contingency measures to ensure safe flight operations within the period, as well as possible extension of operational hours of any domestic airport where the need arises,’’ he said.

    He advised airline operators, the travelling public and other service providers who were dependent on the agency’s services to carry on with their businesses as usual.

    NAN

     

  • Emirates upgrades aircraft on Abuja route

    Emirates Airlines has upgraded its operating aircraft on the Abuja route to a Boeing 777-300ER from the 777-300 classic.

    The upgrade took effect at the weekend.

    The airline according to its Regional Manager West Africa, Afzal Parambil took the step as part of its commitment to the Nigerian market.

    He said “The upgrade of our Abuja service to a Boeing 777-300ER demonstrates our commitment to the Nigeria market and is another step to ensure we offer world class products and services to our customers.

    “Since its launch in 2014 Emirates boosted international tourism and trade in Abuja from a raft of destinations in the Far East, West Asia, Middle East, Europe and North America.”

    “Emirates constantly strive to provide its passengers with the very best service and the introduction of a Boeing B777-300ER reflects that commitment.

    “Our 777-300ER will offer Emirates’ renowned cabin comforts and facilities, including our award-winning ice entertainment system.”

    ‘Our plans for air navigation equipment upgrade’

    Read Also: Abuja Airport runway reopens after hours of closure – FAAN

    Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu has unveiled plans by the agency upgrade air navigation equipment at airports across the country.

    According to Akinkuotu, the agency took the steps as part of its strategic plan to replace obsolete air navigation equipment at airports and other locations.

    Speaking in an interview last week in Lagos, he said the agency has addressed complaints in the performance of communication navigation and surveillance as well as air traffic management facilities.

    Akinkuotu said the agency in the last one year addressed radio communication challenges between pilots and air traffic controllers.

    Specifically, he said very high frequency radios have been installed in 17 airports for approach and aerodrome control.

    He said the agency also installed High power standalone VHF radios in Lagos and Abuja area control centers.

    Akinkuotu said: “The Lagos end has been commissioned and is in operation, while installation in Kano has just been completed and will soon be put to use.

    “Not satisfied yet, a contract called extended range VHF radio system has been signed to modernize the main radio communication network to increase the number of remote sites from the current eight to fourteen.”

    He said the agency is carrying out progressive installation of navigational equipment in more than 12 airport locations.

    Akinkuotu said: These include distant measuring equipment and instrument landing system and category instrument landing system for Lagos and Abuja Airports will soon be installed.

    “NAMA is collaboration with the Edo State Government is presently installing an instrument landing system in Benin Airport.”

    He also spoke of plans for the installation of Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) surveillance system for the Gulf of Guinea (Niger Delta Area ) for surveillance and control of low level flights, which will commence in a few weeks.”

    Meanwhile, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has declared that the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON), project is working optimally.

    NAMA also said that spare parts for the facility are regularly sourced from the manufacturer, Thales of France whenever required.

    Speaking in an interview, its Managing Director, Captain Fola Akinkuotu NAMA has regularly received spare parts from Thales of France since the project came on stream in 2010.

    He said the agency would continue to provide state-of-the-art air navigation services without compromising safety of lives and equipment.

  • NAMA begins sectorising of Lagos area control centre

    NAMA begins sectorising of Lagos area control centre

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA ) has begun the process of splitting the Lagos Sub-Flight Information Region (Sub-FIR) airspace into Lagos West and Lagos East Area Control sectors.

    NAMA spokesman, Steve Onabe, said in a statement on Sunday that the agency’s Chief Executive, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, announced the split at a stakeholders’sensitisation forum in Lagos.

    Akinkuotu said : “The process is in line with NAMA’s commitment towards enhancing quality of air traffic services in the country.

    “It is aimed at reducing congestion on the available en-route radio frequency as well as increasing Air Traffic Management (ATM) capacity in order to manage the growing air traffic volume and simultaneously reducing delays within the Kano FIR.”

    According to him, sectorising the Lagos ACC will bring about optimum utilisation of the airspace by reducing controller-pilot workload, thereby increasing efficiency and quality of service delivery.

    Akinkuotu, who was represented NAMA Director of Operations, Gabriel Akpen, expressed optimism that the service quality of Communication Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) would also be enhanced.

    The NAMA boss said the process would be streamlined in accordance with the provisions of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations ( NCARs ) consistent with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Standard and Recommended Practices (ICAO SARPs).

    As part of the process, he said the agency was currently optimising the Very High Frequency (VHF) radio and also installing a high-powered stand-alone VHF radio as backup to the total VHF coverage of Nigeria.

    Akinkuotu added that controller working positions on the ACC consuls were in proper ergonomic positions.

    He disclosed that the agency had embarked on aggressive manpower training and simulation exercises in collaboration with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, to shore up capacity.

    Akinkuotu noted that on-the-job training for air traffic control officers at Kano Area Control Centre which already had a running two-sector operation was in progress.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the  Lagos Area Control Centre was created out of Kano Area Control Centre which hitherto controlled the entire Nigerian airspace in 2001.

    It manages 15 subsidiary aerodromes within the southern sector of the Nigerian airspace including flights overflying the upper airspace.

  • NAMA begins sectorising of Lagos area control centre

    NAMA begins sectorising of Lagos area control centre

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has begun the process of splitting the Lagos Sub-Flight Information Region (Sub-FIR) airspace into Lagos West and Lagos East Area Control sectors.

    NAMA spokesman, Steve Onabe, said in a statement on Sunday that the agency’s Chief Executive, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, announced the split at a stakeholders’ sensitisation forum in Lagos.

    Akinkuotu said :”The process is in line with NAMA’s commitment towards enhancing quality of air traffic services in the country.

    “It is aimed at reducing congestion on the available en-route radio frequency as well as increasing Air Traffic Management (ATM) capacity in order to manage the growing air traffic volume and simultaneously reducing delays within the Kano FIR.”

    According to him, sectorising the Lagos ACC will bring about optimum utilisation of the airspace by reducing controller-pilot workload, thereby increasing efficiency and quality of service delivery.

    Akinkuotu, who was represented NAMA Director of Operations, Gabriel Akpen, expressed optimism that the service quality of Communication Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) would also be enhanced.

    The NAMA boss said the process would be streamlined in accordance with the provisions of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) consistent with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Standard and Recommended Practices (ICAO SARPs).

    As part of the process, he said the agency was currently optimising the Very High Frequency (VHF) radio and also installing a high-powered stand-alone VHF radio as backup to the total VHF coverage of Nigeria.

    Akinkuotu added that controller working positions on the ACC consuls were in proper ergonomic positions.

    He disclosed that the agency had embarked on aggressive manpower training and simulation exercises in collaboration with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, to shore up capacity.

    Akinkuotu noted that on-the-job training for air traffic control officers at Kano Area Control Centre which already had a running two-sector operation was in progress.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the  Lagos Area Control Centre was created out of Kano Area Control Centre which hitherto controlled the entire Nigerian airspace in 2001.

    It manages 15 subsidiary aerodromes within the southern sector of the Nigerian airspace including flights overflying the upper airspace.

  • NAMA begins competency appraisal for AIS officers

    NAMA begins competency appraisal for AIS officers

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA ) has started a competency appraisal of Aeronautical Information Services ( AIS ) officers in all airports across the country.

    Its Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said this in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

    Akinkuotu said that the exercise, which was targeted at testing AIS officers in areas such as Aeronautical Charts, AIS Publication and Operations, was started from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

    According to him, the exercise will be replicated in other airports in the country in the coming weeks.

    “Considering the pivotal role aeronautical information plays in safety of air navigation and in the light of ongoing migration to AIS Automation, due consideration must be given to the integrity of data being disseminated to airspace users, hence this exercise,”  he said.

    Akinkuotu said that NAMA placed premium on building capacity of staff, adding that sustained training and retraining of personnel were being carried out to ensure they possessed competencies required to perform critical functions.

    He said their functions impacted on safety and they needed to keep pace with modern trends in the highly dynamic world of aviation.

    The General Manager, AIS, Mr Kabir Gusau, said that the periodic competency checks were in line with Annex 15 of the International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    Gusau said this was also necessary to ensure that personnel demonstrated the required competencies to handle specific critical operations.

    He said that constant assessment would enable the agency to detect and correct shortfalls as they occurred.

    In a related development, Akinkuotu has charged Air Traffic Controllers, who recently returned from a three-week Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Course in Kenya, to ensure that the training impacted positively on the overall safety procedures of the agency.

    Akinkuotu was quoted as saying this when he received the participants in his office in Lagos.

    The NAMA boss promised to approve the training of another batch of ATCs for the same course in November.

    He advised them to use the benefit of the course to improve on the agency’s ability to handle emergencies.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Course took place at the East African School of Aviation, Nairobi, Kenya.

    It is designed to equip participants with the capacity and skills to initiate Search and Rescue and man Rescue Coordination Centres in a Flight Information Region (FIR).

  • NAMA promotes top management staff

    NAMA promotes top management staff

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has approved the appointment, promotion and redeployment of top management staff of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

    The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, said the minister made the approval through a circular issued  on Monday.

    Akinkuotu explained that the appointments were aimed at ensuring increased efficiency and effectiveness in the agency.

    He said the repositioning  of NAMA was to enhance productivity and  ensure all projects and programmes were properly executed bearing in mind accountability and adherence to timelines.

    Akinkuotu said Mr Farouk Umar had been confirmed as substantive Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering Service.

    Also, Mr Gabriel Akpen was promoted from the rank of General Manager, Search and Rescue/Civil Military Coordination, to Director of Operations, he said.

    “The Directorates of Human Resources and Administration have equally been merged with former General Manager, Customer Services/Servicom, Mr Maira Bashir, taking over as Director of Human Resources and Administration.

    “In the same vein, Mr Umoh Aniefiok, formerly of the Finance and Accounts Department at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been redeployed to NAMA as Director of Finance and Accounts,’’ Akinkuotu said.

    He added that Mr Khalid Emele is to head the Public Affairs Department of the agency as General Manager.”

    Akinkuotu said that three new Deputy General Managers (DGMs) had been appointed to head some strategic units in the agency.

    They are Ms Kaosarat Fawehinmi, DGM, Project Management Office; Mr Bajie F. Abang, DGM, Security Unit; and Obioma Solomon, DGM, Industrial Relations and Discipline.

    Akinkuotu thanked all staff of the agency for their continued support and urged those promoted to ensure service excellence and efficiency within the system.

    He advised them to ensure compliance with all government directives, particularly the recent Executive Orders issued for smooth conduct of government business.

  • NCAA to ensure full compliance with FG’s executive order at airports

    NCAA to ensure full compliance with FG’s executive order at airports

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said on Tuesday that it had put in place measures to ensure full and sustained compliance with the Federal Government’s Executive Order at airports in the country.

    The General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, said the agency’s Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, had directed all Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) to monitor the level of compliance with the order.

    Adurogboye said this was alongside their statutory oversight responsibilities at the airports, as enshrined in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations 2015 (Nig.CARs 2015).

    “All aviation parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (Nimet) and Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have since commenced compliance to the order.

    “On its part, NCAA has prepared a standard document outlining its core functions and services, appropriate charges, fees, licences, waivers and other tax-related processes, in adherence to the order.

    “The schedule contains mode of communication of official decisions to the various applicants for our sundry services,’’ Adurogboye said in the statement issued in Lagos.

    According to him, this information, together with other vital information, for ease of doing business in the Nigerian aviation sector are contained in the official website of the NCAA.

    He said the federal government had handed down the order with the view to eliminate the unnecessary bureaucracy that impedes business activities at Nigeria’s airports.

    Adurogboye added that it would improve safety, security and facilitation of passengers within and around the airports.

    He said the NCAA director general was in constant discussions with the heads of aviation agencies to ensure sustained adherence to the order by the agencies and continuous surveillance by the regulatory authority.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had on May 18 signed three far-reaching executive orders expected to ease business, fast-track budget submission and promote made in Nigeria products.