BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has embarked on a comprehensive audit of the entire Kano Flight Information Region (FIR), also known as Nigeria’s airspace, in a move aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, safety and regulatory compliance.
The exercise, which commenced on Tuesday, is a systematic self-assessment by the agency, designed to prepare NAMA for the upcoming Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) Certification by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as well as the forthcoming ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) and Regional Office Safety Team (ROST) Mission.
The FIR Audit will evaluate the state of Air Traffic Services (ATS), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) facilities, Aeronautical Information Management (AIM), Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
It will also identify operational gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
The inspection covers Nigeria’s major international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, as well as Enugu, Maiduguri, and several state and private aerodromes, including CNS facilities nationwide.
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, NAMA Managing Director Engineer Farouk Ahmed Umar described the FIR Audit as “a defining milestone in the agency’s journey towards excellence in airspace management.” He said:
“This audit is a landmark initiative, the first of its kind in NAMA’s 25-year history. It marks a bold and proactive step to reinforce our mandate of delivering safe, efficient, and seamless air navigation services in full alignment with international best practices.
“The conduct of this comprehensive and multi-dimensional FIR audit is a landmark initiative that will not only reflect on past achievements but also strategically chart the course for the future of Nigeria’s airspace management under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This audit is more than a compliance check. It is a declaration of our resolve to constantly improve, to measure ourselves against the highest global standards, and to guarantee that every flight in Nigeria’s airspace is managed with the utmost safety and efficiency. It is about building systems that are robust, resilient, and respected globally.”
Engineer Umar added that the exercise provides a crucial platform to promote accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the agency while bolstering Nigeria’s readiness for international evaluation, certification, and cooperation.
He called on all directors, departmental heads, staff, and industry stakeholders to fully support the Audit Committee.
“The safety and efficiency of our airspace is non-negotiable. The successful outcome of this initiative will not only strengthen NAMA’s operational systems but also consolidate Nigeria’s credibility and leadership in the global aviation community.
“This exercise reflects NAMA’s determination to lead by example in Africa and to showcase Nigeria’s aviation system as a benchmark of operational excellence and innovation,” he emphasized.
To drive the audit, Engr. Umar inaugurated the FIR Audit Committee, led by Ahmad Abba, Director of Special Duties.
The committee, composed of experts from air traffic services, CNS/ATM systems, AIM, safety management, and search and rescue departments, will collaborate closely with industry stakeholders, regulatory authorities, and frontline operational staff to ensure a rigorous, transparent, and inclusive process.
