The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has recorded a major institutional milestone with the signing of contractual documents for the construction of its new Corporate Headquarters and a centralised Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre in Abuja, a development set to redefine the management of Nigeria’s airspace.
The contract signing ceremony, held in the Federal Capital Territory, signals a strategic investment in modern aviation infrastructure and reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to aligning its air navigation services with internationally recognised best practices.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NAMA, Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, said the project reflects the agency’s long-term vision to build a robust, efficient, and technologically advanced airspace management system capable of supporting the country’s growing aviation sector.
He explained that the new complex would serve as both NAMA’s Corporate Headquarters and the hub of a national Air Traffic Management Centre, representing a major departure from the existing decentralised control structure.
“This project goes beyond the construction of an administrative building,” Engr. Farouk stated. “It is about creating a national command centre for air traffic control. The facility will integrate the operations of the former Kano and Lagos Area Control Centres, enabling air traffic across Nigerian airspace to be managed from a single, coordinated location.”
According to him, the consolidation of air traffic control operations will enhance operational efficiency, strengthen safety oversight, and improve service delivery, while also ensuring closer compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The NAMA Chief Executive emphasised that the facility would accommodate critical and sensitive operational systems that are central to the safety of air navigation, making strict quality control essential.
He therefore charged the project contractor, NHD Interbiz Projects Limited, to deliver the project in line with approved designs, engineering specifications, and globally accepted construction standards.
“This is a mission-critical infrastructure that underpins the safety and efficiency of our national airspace,” he said. “There will be zero tolerance for substandard work. Management will exercise close oversight throughout the construction period to guarantee transparency, value for money, and long-term sustainability.”
Engr. Farouk also acknowledged the role of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, whose facilitation of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval was key to the project’s commencement.
He noted that the Minister’s support demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen institutional capacity within the aviation sector.
He further praised NAMA’s management team and workforce for their professionalism during the procurement and contracting stages, with special commendation for the Legal Services Department for ensuring due process, regulatory compliance, and adherence to best practices.
Earlier, the Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary, Mrs. Rita Egbadon, described the contract signing as a defining moment for the agency.
She explained that the agreement was the culmination of months of careful legal work, compliance checks, and risk management, all aimed at protecting the public interest and securing NAMA’s institutional future.
Mrs. Egbadon observed that the new headquarters would finally align the agency’s physical infrastructure with the national significance of its mandate, noting that NAMA had, for many years, operated from facilities that did not adequately reflect the sensitivity and scale of its responsibilities.
She added that the project would provide a secure, purpose-built environment capable of supporting modern air traffic management operations and meeting the demands of Nigeria’s evolving aviation landscape.
The Abuja headquarters and national ATM centre, when completed, are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s air navigation services, improve safety performance, and serve as a critical pillar in the ongoing transformation of the country’s aviation sector.
About The Author
