The federal government has commenced construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s aviation modernisation agenda.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was performed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. He described the project as a bold statement of intent and a concrete demonstration of the government’s commitment to upgrading the critical infrastructure that sustains the safety, efficiency, and growth of the nation’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the event, Keyamo said the new facility would consolidate NAMA’s administrative and operational functions in a purpose-built complex befitting its strategic national role.
“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”, the Minister stated.
He explained that the complex would integrate executive management offices with a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre, significantly improving operational efficiency, safety oversight, and real-time decision-making. According to him, the facility will provide a secure, technology-driven environment for managing Nigeria’s sovereign airspace, thereby strengthening institutional credibility and boosting investor confidence in the aviation industry.
Keyamo added that the project is being executed in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, following a transparent and competitive bidding process. He assured stakeholders that the contractor would be held to the highest standards in terms of quality and timelines, with no compromise on specifications or delivery benchmarks.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, described the groundbreaking as a historic moment for the agency. He recalled that since its establishment in 1999, NAMA operated its administrative headquarters from Lagos for over two decades before commencing formal relocation to Abuja 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.
He disclosed that the new headquarters would house a centralised, cutting-edge Air Traffic Management Centre, which would fundamentally transform the management of Nigeria’s airspace. The agency, he noted, is transitioning toward a unified operational framework by merging the existing Area Control Centres in Lagos and Kano into a single central hub in Abuja.
This consolidation, he explained, will create a cohesive “One Flight Information Region (FIR)” for Nigeria, enabling seamless radar surveillance and coordinated 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.
Farouk further revealed that the new ATM Centre would be powered by advanced automation and scalable technology capable of accommodating projected increases in air traffic over the coming decades. The system, he said, would optimise flight paths, reduce redundancies, improve fuel efficiency for airlines, and lower long-term operational costs.
The facility will also provide office accommodation for 15 to 16 departments, a 200-seat conference hall, a library, registry, and executive suites for directors and senior management. Staff welfare features will include rest facilities for air traffic controllers, a drivers’ lounge, recreational areas, and a daycare centre. The complex will be supported by robust infrastructure such as a dedicated water treatment plant, standby power systems, multiple security posts, and expansive parking facilities.
While celebrating the milestone, the NAMA Managing Director appealed for sustained federal funding, particularly for the proposed Dual Surveillance System intended to serve both civil Air Traffic Management and dedicated military command-and-control operations.
“This is not merely a technological upgrade”, Farouk said. “It is a strategic investment in securing our sovereign airspace and strengthening coordination between civil aviation authorities and national defence institutions”.
The project is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s airspace management capabilities while positioning the country as a more competitive and secure aviation hub in Africa.