NAMA Clarifies Mobile Control Tower Deployment Process at Lagos Airport, Says Safety Procedures Responsible for Waiting Period
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has responded to a media report suggesting a delay in the deployment of a Mobile Control Tower at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, explaining that the process is being guided by essential engineering and safety requirements rather than administrative inaction.
The agency issued the clarification after a newspaper report published on 13 March 2026 titled “Three Weeks After, NAMA Yet to Deploy Mobile Tower” questioned why the temporary facility had not yet been installed following a fire incident that affected the airport’s Aerodrome Control Tower.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, NAMA said the report failed to reflect the critical technical considerations involved in installing aviation control infrastructure.
According to the agency, the fire incident at the control tower prompted an immediate activation of contingency measures to ensure that air navigation services at MMIA continued without disruption.
The airport is one of Nigeria’s busiest international aviation hubs, making uninterrupted air traffic management essential for both domestic and international flight operations.
As part of its emergency response, NAMA began arrangements for the deployment of a Mobile Control Tower that would temporarily serve as the operational facility for aerodrome control while restoration work on the main tower is ongoing.
However, the agency stressed that the installation of aviation infrastructure requires strict adherence to engineering procedures and operational standards designed to guarantee safety in aircraft operations.
One of the first technical requirements, NAMA explained, was the identification of a location that would provide adequate visual coverage of the runway, taxiways and other critical sections of the airfield.
Such visibility is essential for air traffic controllers to maintain full situational awareness and effectively coordinate aircraft movements within the aerodrome environment.
Following the selection of a suitable location, excavation work had to be carried out and a reinforced concrete foundation constructed to support the Mobile Control Tower.
NAMA noted that aviation installations require a strong and stable structural base to eliminate risks associated with vibration, imbalance or structural weakness.
The agency further explained that engineering standards require that newly cast concrete foundations undergo a curing period of at least 21 days before heavy structures can be installed. This curing period allows the concrete to gain sufficient strength and stability, preventing cracks or structural failure that could compromise the integrity of the installation.
According to NAMA, when preparations were initially made to deploy the tower, the project contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), advised that installation should not proceed until the foundation had completely settled.
The contractor warned that premature installation could damage the structure and undermine the entire project.
The agency stated that it accepted the professional advice of the contractor in the overriding interest of safety and in line with global engineering best practices.
NAMA therefore described the waiting period as a necessary technical process rather than an operational delay.
Despite the damage to the main Aerodrome Control Tower, the agency reassured the aviation community that air traffic control services at MMIA have remained fully operational.
As a temporary measure, the airport’s Fire Service Tower has been utilised as an interim facility for Aerodrome Control operations pending the installation of the Mobile Control Tower.
In addition, NAMA disclosed that the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN), a critical communications platform for aviation operations, has been fully restored.
Personnel from the Aeronautical Information Service are also currently operating from the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria complex (TRACON), ensuring that pilots and aviation operators continue to receive essential flight information services without interruption.
The agency further revealed that the Mobile Control Tower itself is ready for installation and will be deployed within days once the mandatory curing period for the foundation is completed.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety and operational excellence, NAMA stated that aviation decisions must always prioritise safety over speed.
The agency assured the public and stakeholders that the steps being taken at MMIA reflect careful planning and adherence to international aviation standards, adding that every action is guided by the need to maintain safe and efficient air navigation across Nigeria’s airspace.
