NAMA Demands Aviation Security Overhaul to Safeguard Nigeria’s Skies

At the High-Level Aviation Security Stakeholders Symposium organized by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) delivered a compelling reflection on the critical role of aviation security in achieving Nigeria’s “Safe Skies” goal. Themed “Fundamentality of Aviation Security in Achieving the Safe Skies Goal”, the forum held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, provided a timely platform for stakeholders to assess and address Nigeria’s persistent aviation security challenges.

Representing the agency’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Farouk Umar Ahmed, the Director of Legal Services & Company Secretary, Isemiuhonmon Rita Egbadon, presented NAMA’s strategic reflections, which underscored the urgency of fortifying Nigeria’s aviation security posture. The agency warned that security vulnerabilities are not just operational risks but also threats to national sovereignty and public trust in the aviation sector.

Key Security Challenges Highlighted by NAMA:

1. Lack of Synergy Among Security Agencies:
   NAMA lamented the absence of coordinated communication channels among security outfits, leading to delayed decision-making and fragmented responses to threats. The overlapping mandates and poor inter-agency collaboration continue to erode the effectiveness of airport security nationwide.
2. Outdated Infrastructure and Equipment:
   According to NAMA, many of Nigeria’s airports remain reliant on obsolete security systems. Limited surveillance, weak perimeter defenses, and the failure to integrate physical and cyber security tools have left facilities exposed to avoidable security breaches.
3. Capacity Deficit and Poor Morale:
   The agency noted with concern the declining motivation and skillset of aviation security personnel. Inadequate training, poor remuneration, and a lack of career growth opportunities have led to low morale and lapses in vigilance—conditions incompatible with international security standards.
4. Unqualified Security Personnel in Sensitive Roles:
   NAMA drew attention to the growing trend of appointing underqualified individuals into crucial security roles. Many of these appointments bypass critical vetting, certification, and background checks required under ICAO Annex 17, thereby compromising the credibility and performance of Nigeria’s aviation security system.

Strategic Recommendations for Reform:

To reverse these trends, NAMA proposed four key interventions:

• Establish a National Aviation Security Task Force:
  A coordinated body led by FAAN and audited by NCAA should be institutionalized to oversee joint intelligence sharing, simulation exercises, and real-time response planning.
• Invest in Modern Security Infrastructure:
  Federal and state governments, alongside private sector partners, must prioritize funding for biometric systems, smart surveillance, integrated command centers, and next-generation threat detection tools.
• Launch a Robust Capacity Building and Incentive Programme:
  Security officers must undergo regular ICAO-accredited training, covering both physical and cyber-security. Motivational frameworks—including hazard pay, healthcare, and structured promotions—are also critical to staff retention and performance.
• Enforce Competency-Based Recruitment:
  All security personnel must be properly vetted and certified under a centralized NCAA-led recruitment monitoring system. This measure would ensure only competent hands man Nigeria’s sensitive aviation security functions.

Looking Ahead:

NAMA’s presentation ended on a note of strong commitment to collaboration and reform. “To truly achieve the ‘Safe Skies’ objective, we must evolve from reactive responses to proactive strategies rooted in collaboration, competence, and continuous investment,” said Egbadon. The agency pledged full support to NCAA’s efforts to develop a secure and integrated aviation security strategy for Nigeria.

The symposium served as both a reflection of current security shortcomings and a clarion call for stakeholders to work together towards a safer Nigerian airspace.

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