Nigeria’s Airspace Management Faces Challenges Due to Obsolete Infrastructure

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Umar Ahmed Farouk, has highlighted the challenges faced by the agency in managing Nigeria’s airspace.

The primary concerns include obsolete navigational and surveillance infrastructure, which urgently require renewal to ensure air safety in the country.

Farouk emphasized the need for immediate action to address these issues to avoid potential threats to aviation safety.

To tackle the challenges, NAMA plans to increase navigational charges to generate the revenue required to cover the costs of managing Nigeria’s airspace.

Farouk clarified that the agency is not profit-oriented but focuses on recovering expenditures through revenue generation.

The goal is to enhance communication, navigation, and surveillance in the airspace, all of which are critical for safe flight operations.

The agency is also facing a shortage of Air Traffic Controllers, which is a crucial role in managing the airspace.

To address this issue, NAMA aims to recruit, train, and deploy personnel to airports in need.

Farouk also mentioned the efforts made by the agency to improve communication in the airspace, including the deployment of solar energy to ensure uninterrupted power supply for navigational aids.

This is in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) guidelines, which frown upon any form of power disruption.

Despite these efforts, NAMA is still awaiting access to a N40 billion budget allocated by the presidency for critical safety improvements.

The agency has already replaced a significant portion of the obsolete electronic systems but needs further funding to complete the modernization process.

These challenges have not only affected the efficiency of Nigeria’s airspace management but also led to difficulties in communication with air traffic controllers, which previously caused many airlines to avoid Nigerian airspace.

With ongoing efforts to address these issues, it is hoped that Nigeria’s airspace management will soon be equipped with the necessary infrastructure and personnel to ensure safe and efficient air travel.