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The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has advanced its drive towards modern and integrated airspace control with the formal signing of a contract for the construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and a national Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre in Abuja.
The development, unveiled at a contract signing ceremony in the Federal Capital Territory, represents a major institutional milestone for the agency and a significant boost to Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, with far-reaching implications for safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NAMA, Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, described the project as a transformative investment that would reposition Nigeria’s airspace management framework in line with global best practices.
He said the facility was conceived not merely as an administrative complex, but as a critical operational hub for managing the country’s airspace.
According to him, the new structure will serve a dual role, housing NAMA’s Corporate Headquarters while also accommodating a centralised Air Traffic Management Centre that will oversee air traffic operations nationwide.
“This project represents a defining shift in how Nigeria manages its airspace,” Engr. Farouk said. “The Air Traffic Management Centre to be housed in this building will bring together, under one roof, functions that were previously carried out by the Kano Area Control Centre and the Lagos Area Control Centre. From this single national facility, air traffic across the entire Nigerian airspace will be coordinated and managed.”
He explained that the consolidation of air traffic control operations into one integrated centre would enhance coordination, reduce operational redundancies, and strengthen safety oversight, while also improving Nigeria’s compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Engr. Farouk emphasised that the new headquarters and ATM centre would host highly sensitive and mission-critical infrastructure essential to the safety of air navigation services.
He therefore underscored the importance of quality, durability, and engineering excellence, charging the project contractor, NHD Interbiz Projects Limited, to adhere strictly to approved designs and internationally accepted construction standards.
“This is a facility that directly impacts the safety of our skies,” he said. “There will be no compromise on quality. NAMA will maintain close supervision of the project to ensure transparency, value for money, and long-term sustainability.”
The NAMA Chief Executive also expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, for his role in facilitating the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval that enabled the project to proceed.
He described the Minister’s support as crucial to the realisation of the agency’s vision for a modern, centralised airspace management system.
In addition, Engr. Farouk commended the dedication and professionalism of NAMA’s management and staff throughout the procurement and contracting process, with particular praise for the Legal Services Department for ensuring due process, regulatory compliance, and adherence to best practices.
Earlier in her remarks, the Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mrs. Rita Egbadon, described the contract signing as a landmark moment in the history of the agency.
She noted that the agreement was the outcome of months of detailed legal work, compliance alignment, and careful risk allocation, all deliberately structured to protect the public interest and safeguard NAMA’s institutional integrity.
Mrs. Egbadon observed that the project marked the end of an era in which the agency operated from facilities that did not fully reflect the scope, sensitivity, and national importance of its mandate.
She added that the new headquarters would provide a purpose-built environment capable of supporting modern air traffic management operations and future technological advancements.
The construction of the new Corporate Headquarters and centralised Air Traffic Management Centre is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s air navigation services, improve safety performance, and strengthen the overall resilience of the country’s aviation sector.
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