NAMA Embarks on Historic Comprehensive Audit of Nigerian Airspace
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has launched a comprehensive audit of the entire Kano Flight Information Region (FIR), which encompasses Nigeria’s national airspace, in what has been described as a landmark step towards strengthening safety, efficiency, and international credibility in airspace management.
The exercise, which began on Tuesday, is the first of its kind in NAMA’s 25-year history. It is a self-assessment initiative designed to evaluate the overall safety performance, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance of Nigeria’s airspace system.
The move comes as part of preparations for the impending Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) Certification by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as well as the forthcoming International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) and the Regional Office Safety Team (ROST) Mission.
According to NAMA, the FIR Audit will focus on key operational areas including Air Traffic Services (ATS), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) facilities, Aeronautical Information Management (AIM), Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
It will also involve identifying potential risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
The audit will cover detailed inspections of Nigeria’s four main international airports — Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt — as well as Enugu, Maiduguri, and other state and private aerodromes nationwide. CNS facilities across the country are also included in the scope of the review.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, NAMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, described the audit as “a defining milestone in the agency’s journey towards excellence in airspace management.”
He explained: “This audit is a landmark initiative, the first of its kind in NAMA’s history, and it marks a bold and proactive step to reinforce our mandate of delivering safe, efficient, and seamless air navigation services in alignment with international best practices. This exercise is more than a compliance check — it is a declaration of our resolve to measure ourselves against the highest global standards, and to ensure that every flight in Nigeria’s airspace is managed with the utmost safety and efficiency.”
Engr. Umar further emphasised that the audit would not only reflect on NAMA’s past achievements but would also strategically chart the future of Nigeria’s airspace management under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the exercise would foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the agency, while also positioning Nigeria to stand up to international scrutiny. He called on all directors, departmental heads, staff, and stakeholders to give their full cooperation to the process.
“The safety and efficiency of our airspace is non-negotiable. The successful outcome of this initiative will strengthen our operational systems and consolidate Nigeria’s credibility and leadership in the global aviation community. This is about building systems that are robust, resilient, and respected worldwide,” he added.
To oversee the exercise, the NAMA boss inaugurated a FIR Audit Committee chaired by Ahmad Abba, Director of Special Duties. The committee comprises experts drawn from air traffic services, CNS/ATM systems, aeronautical information management, safety management, and search and rescue departments.
Members will work in close consultation with regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders, and frontline operational staff to ensure a rigorous, transparent, and inclusive audit process.
The exercise, officials say, is expected to set a new benchmark for operational excellence in Nigeria’s aviation sector and position the country as a leader in airspace safety management within Africa.
