BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has scored 91.45 per cent in an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety validation mission, while pledging to modernise air traffic management systems and improve aviation safety.
The Director of Air Traffic Services at NAMA, Tayo John, disclosed this at the agency’s 2026 Air Traffic Management Workshop in Kano, where he highlighted the achievements and challenges facing Nigeria’s air navigation services.
John said the positive result in the April 2026 ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission reflected efforts by air traffic controllers, engineers, technicians and other aviation personnel to strengthen safety standards.
He said air traffic controllers had continued to ensure the safe and orderly movement of aircraft despite challenges involving communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure, staff welfare and training.
According to him, NAMA is working to expand and modernise its communication, navigation and surveillance facilities, including radar and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast technology, to improve aircraft monitoring and operational efficiency.
He added that Nigeria had made progress in Performance-Based Navigation, which allows aircraft to follow more efficient routes, potentially reducing fuel consumption, emissions and delays while improving access to airports during adverse weather.
The agency is also working with regional partners and the ICAO Africa-Indian Ocean offices to extend Free Route Airspace operations across borders within the Kano Flight Information Region. The initiative is expected to improve airspace capacity and reduce carbon emissions.
John said NAMA was investing in the training and retraining of air traffic controllers and technical personnel. Recent programmes included area and terminal radar training, radar refresher courses and air traffic control surveillance ratings.
He noted that the agency had also secured approval for overseas training, with a competency assessors’ course scheduled to begin in Dubai on November 1, 2026.
Despite the progress, the NAMA director identified ageing infrastructure, inadequate funding, staffing needs, cybersecurity risks, adverse weather and the growing use of drones as major challenges requiring urgent attention.
He said the increasing complexity of airspace operations made continuous investment in technology, personnel development and safety management essential.
John called for sustained government support, stronger regional cooperation, improved information-sharing and the adoption of emerging technologies to address the challenges.
In a related development, the director, on behalf of NAMA’s management, congratulated the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) on the commissioning of its Port Harcourt guest house on Tuesday, October 20, to coincide with World Air Traffic Controller Day.
He said the facility demonstrated the association’s commitment to staff welfare, adding that the well-being of air traffic controllers was essential to operational efficiency and aviation safety.
John urged NATCA to ensure the proper management and maintenance of the guest house so that it would remain a sustainable asset for current and future members.
He reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between NAMA and NATCA in improving staff welfare, professional development and the delivery of safe and reliable air navigation services in Nigeria.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
