The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has expressed concern over a recent publication by a national newspaper which, while highlighting the perennial challenges associated with Harmattan weather, made claims that could mislead the public about the state of air navigation safety and the serviceability of landing facilities across Nigerian airports.
Reacting to the report, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NAMA, Dr. Abdullahi Musa, said that while seasonal meteorological conditions remain a legitimate subject of public discourse, such discussions must be grounded in technical accuracy and regulatory understanding.
“Seasonal meteorological conditions are a legitimate subject of public discourse, but these discussions must be anchored on technical accuracy, regulatory context, and a clear understanding of how aviation safety systems function”, he said.
He noted that some of the assertions contained in the publication risk creating unnecessary public anxiety by conflating weather-induced operational limitations with alleged infrastructure inadequacies.
According to him, NAMA considered it necessary, in the overriding interest of public confidence and factual clarity, to place the facts on record.
Addressing insinuations that Nigeria’s landing facilities are poorly maintained or unfit for Harmattan operations, Musa stated that such claims were incorrect.
“All navigational aids at federal government airports are routinely maintained, flight-checked, and calibrated in strict compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations”, he said.
He explained that these processes are mandatory safety requirements and not discretionary actions.
“They are carried out using NAMA’s dedicated flight inspection and calibration aircraft, operated by highly trained technical and flight inspection personnel,” Musa added.
According to him, critical systems including Instrument Landing Systems, VHF Omnidirectional Range, Distance Measuring Equipment, and other CNS/ATM infrastructure undergo periodic ground and airborne verification to ensure operational accuracy, signal integrity, and safety reliability.
Musa further stressed that all calibration and maintenance activities are conducted under continuous regulatory oversight by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
“The NCAA audits compliance, validates calibration cycles, and enforces corrective actions where necessary”, he said.
On transparency, Musa noted that NAMA operates in line with global best practices.
“The status of navigational aids nationwide is formally published through Aeronautical Information Publications Supplements, which are accessible to airlines, pilots, operators, and international stakeholders”, he explained.
He cited AIP Supplement S81/2025 dated 9 October 2025, which documented the calibration and serviceability status of all navigational aids in the country.
“At the time of publication, only the ILS facilities at Maiduguri, Ilorin, Owerri, Zaria, Minna, and Calabar were approaching their due calibration dates, while all other systems nationwide remained within valid inspection periods”, Musa said.
He disclosed that NAMA conducted a nationwide round of flight calibration exercises in December 2025.
“These exercises restored serviceability timelines across multiple locations, and the next round of calibration is scheduled to cover Katsina, Jos, Ilorin, Yola, and Owerri airports early in the new year”, he stated.
The NAMA Director also addressed what he described as persistent misconceptions in public commentary regarding Instrument Landing Systems.
“The assumption that CAT III Instrument Landing Systems must be deployed at all airports to guarantee safety during Harmattan is technically inaccurate and inconsistent with global aviation practice”, he said.
According to him, the deployment of ILS CAT I, CAT II, or CAT III is determined by operational need, traffic volume, aircraft and airline capability, and long-term meteorological data.
“Many efficient international airports around the world operate safely with CAT I or CAT II systems because prevailing weather conditions do not justify the complexity and cost of CAT III infrastructure. Nigeria is no exception,” he added.
Musa explained that historical meteorological data across Nigerian airports show that the least average runway visibility during Harmattan is approximately 150 metres. “In response to this operational reality, NAMA has designed, validated, and published instrument approach procedures aligned with ILS CAT II minima, which adequately support safe aircraft operations even during the most challenging seasonal conditions typically experienced in the country”.
He warned against equating the absence of widespread CAT III systems with compromised safety.
“Aviation safety is determined by appropriateness and reliability, not by deploying the highest available technology where it is operationally unjustified”, Musa stated.
He noted that Nigerian airports where ILS CAT II procedures are published are fully capable of supporting safe operations within approved minima, subject to airline and aircraft capability.
“Where systems are temporarily withdrawn, downgraded, or restricted, such actions are taken proactively and conservatively in the interest of safety, not as evidence of regulatory failure”, he said.
On delays, diversions, and cancellations during the Harmattan season, Dr. Musa explained that these are largely weather-driven.
“Harmattan-related delays, diversions, or cancellations are primarily a function of weather conditions, airline operational decisions, and aircraft capability, rather than neglect or failure of navigational aids”, he said.
He added that weather is an external variable that cannot be eliminated.
“It can only be managed through accurate forecasting, conservative decision-making, and strict adherence to established minima”, Musa noted.
He stated that NAMA works closely with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to ensure safety throughout the Harmattan period.
“We ensure continuous dissemination of accurate and timely weather information while providing real-time air traffic management support during the Harmattan season”.
Musa concluded by reaffirming the safety of Nigeria’s airspace. “The Nigerian airspace is safe, professionally managed, and aligned with global best practices. While Harmattan presents operational challenges, it does not imply infrastructural failure or diminished safety standards”, he said.
He urged that public commentary on aviation matters be responsible and technically grounded.
“NAMA welcomes constructive engagement but will continue to correct inaccuracies where they arise, in the interest of public understanding and the collective goal of safe, secure, and efficient air travel in Nigeria”, Musa added.