NAMA Launches Historic Nationwide Audit of Nigeria’s Airspace

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has commenced a comprehensive audit of the country’s entire airspace, a first in its 25-year history. The landmark exercise, which began this week, covers the Kano Flight Information Region (FIR) and marks a new phase in Nigeria’s pursuit of aviation safety and operational excellence.

According to NAMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, the initiative represents a “defining milestone” in the agency’s evolution. He emphasized that the audit is more than a regulatory requirement, describing it as a commitment to exceed international standards and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s air navigation system.

“This audit is not about compliance alone,” Umar said. “It is about accountability, efficiency, and positioning Nigeria’s aviation sector as a global benchmark.”

Broad Scope of Review

The audit will assess every major component of air navigation services, including:

Air Traffic Services (ATS): Coordination and safety of aircraft movements.

Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS): Reliability of technologies guiding aircraft operations.

Aeronautical Information Management (AIM): Accuracy of vital flight information systems.

Search and Rescue (SAR): Preparedness and effectiveness of emergency response units.

The exercise extends to Nigeria’s four busiest international airports — Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt — as well as other key hubs in Enugu and Maiduguri. State and privately managed aerodromes, alongside CNS installations nationwide, will also be inspected.

Global Alignment and Future Readiness

The review comes at a critical time, as Nigeria prepares for international safety evaluations, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) certification and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

Industry observers note that a successful audit will not only enhance operational safety but also boost investor confidence and reaffirm Nigeria’s leadership in African aviation.

Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

The FIR Audit Committee, chaired by NAMA’s Director of Special Duties, Ahmad Abba, is leading the process. The committee includes experts from across NAMA’s departments and will engage regulators and industry stakeholders to ensure a thorough and transparent outcome.

A Defining Moment for NAMA

Founded in 1999, NAMA has steadily evolved to become a key institution in Nigeria’s aviation sector. However, safety standards and operational efficiency have long been under the spotlight. This audit, aviation analysts say, represents a decisive step toward addressing gaps, reinforcing accountability, and building resilience in the system.

Umar underscored the agency’s vision clearly: “The safety and efficiency of our airspace are non-negotiable. This exercise is about preparing NAMA, and Nigeria, for the future of aviation.”