Keyamo Flags Off NAMA Headquarters Construction As NAMA Centralizes Area Control
The Federal Government has formally launched the construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja, in what has been described as a defining moment in Nigeria’s aviation modernization drive, as NAMA transits by collapsing the two existing Area Control Centres in Lagos and Kano into a single centralized hub in Abuja.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held yesterday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was performed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who referred to the project as “a declaration of intent and a tangible demonstration of our unwavering commitment to modernizing the critical infrastructure that underpins the safety, efficiency, and growth of Nigerian aviation.”
Addressing stakeholders at the event, the Minister emphasized that the project represents a strategic response to the need to consolidate NAMA’s administrative and operational functions into a modern, purpose-built facility capable of reflecting the agency’s strategic importance to national development.
“For too long,our agencies have operated in silos and in structures that do not reflect their national significance. With this new headquarters, we are creating a conducive environment that fosters innovation, enhances collaboration, and boosts the morale of the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to keep our airspace safe,” he stated.
Keyamo explained that the new complex will integrate executive management functions with a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, safety oversight, and real-time responsiveness. He noted that the facility will provide a secure, technology-enabled environment for the management of Nigeria’s sovereign airspace, strengthening institutional credibility and investor confidence in the aviation sector.
The Minister disclosed that the project is being executed in strict adherence to the Public Procurement Act 2007, following a transparent and competitive tendering process, stressing that “we will hold the contractor to the highest standards of quality and timelines as stipulated in the agreement as there would be no compromise on specifications or delivery benchmarks.”
Earlier in his address, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, described the day as one that would be “etched in gold in the annals of the agency’s history.” He noted that since its establishment in 1999, NAMA’s administrative headquarters operated from Lagos for over two decades, before the formal relocation process to Abuja commenced in 2020 in line with federal government policy.
“For the past six years, our staff have operated from temporary facilities in Abuja. Yet, they have continued to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable air navigation services. Today, we take the definitive step to provide them with the world-class facility they deserve,” Farouk said, stressing that the new headquarters will not only serve as an administrative hub but also house a centralized, state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre that will fundamentally redefine how Nigeria manages its airspace.
He stated that the agency was transitioning toward a unified operational structure by collapsing the two existing Area Control Centres in Lagos and Kano into a single centralized hub in Abuja. This, he explained, would create a “cohesive One Flight Information Region (FIR) for Nigeria,” enabling seamless radar control of the entire national airspace from a unified command centre.
“From this very spot, NAMA will exercise consolidated oversight of Nigeria’s airspace, ensuring that every aircraft, from take-off to landing, is guided by a single, harmonized operational authority. A unified radar view reduces coordination risks during sector handovers and enhances overall situational awareness,” he said.
Engr. Farouk further disclosed that the new ATM Centre will be powered by cutting-edge technology designed to deliver high reliability, advanced automation, and scalability to accommodate projected growth in air traffic volumes over the coming decades. He emphasized that the system will optimize flight paths, reduce redundancies, improve fuel efficiency for airlines, and lower long-term operational costs.
Farouk revealed that the facility would provide office accommodation for 15 to 16 departments, a 200-capacity conference room, a library, registry, and dedicated suites for executive management and directors just as it will provide staff welfare amenities such as rest facilities for air traffic controllers, a drivers’ lounge, recreational areas, a daycare centre, and robust support infrastructure including a dedicated water treatment plant, standby power systems, multiple security posts, and expansive parking arrangements.
While celebrating the milestone, the NAMA helmsman also appealed for sustained funding from the federal government, particularly for the agency’s proposed Dual Surveillance System designed to serve both conventional Air Traffic Management purposes and a dedicated military command-and-control function, making it a critical national security asset in view of prevailing security challenges.
“This is not merely a technological upgrade”, he stated, adding that “it is a strategic investment in securing our sovereign airspace and strengthening coordination between civil aviation authorities and national defence institutions.”
