NAMA Pushes for Revenue Independence, Warns 50% Deduction Threatens Airspace Safety
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has intensified calls for financial independence, warning that the continuous deduction of 50 per cent of its internally generated revenue poses a grave threat to the safety, efficiency, and growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the opening of a four-day retreat of the House Committee on Aviation in Abuja, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Umar, appealed to lawmakers to intervene in ending the deduction, insisting that it contravenes provisions of the NAMA Act 2022.
Quoting Section 9(2) of the Act, which exempts the agency’s charges and fees from deductions or remittances to other bodies, Umar stressed that enforcement of this law is essential for the agency to fulfil its statutory responsibilities.
He warned that without adequate funding, NAMA risks falling short of global benchmarks set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“Our ability to modernise operations and sustain critical systems such as towers, radars, and communication networks depends entirely on financial autonomy,” Umar stated. “If we must meet international safety obligations and guarantee seamless service delivery to airlines, this unlawful deduction must stop.”
The NAMA boss listed urgent priorities that require funding, including:
Modernisation of navigation systems through Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS);
Routine maintenance and calibration of Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) equipment;
Continuous training and remuneration of aviation professionals;
Investments in digitalisation and innovative technologies.
Umar also pressed for the enforcement of the Obstruction Evaluation Fees stipulated in Section 18 of the NAMA Act, 2022, lamenting the current overlap of roles with another aviation agency, which he said had hindered NAMA from tapping into a legitimate revenue stream.
Equally, he demanded a comprehensive review of air navigation charges, which have remained static since 2008, noting that they are out of tune with current economic realities. According to him, revising these charges is vital for true cost recovery and sustainability of air navigation services.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Idris Garba, assured stakeholders that the National Assembly was committed to strengthening the sector through robust legislation and oversight.
He stressed that collaboration among aviation players was necessary to overcome challenges and harness emerging opportunities.
“The aviation sector is strategic to national development, and this retreat offers us a platform to exchange ideas, set priorities, and chart a course that improves safety, infrastructure, and global competitiveness,” Garba said.
The retreat, themed “Emerging Trends in Global Aviation: Sustainability, Technology, and Digital Transformation”, is featuring technical presentations, interactive sessions, and stakeholder engagements aimed at shaping Nigeria’s aviation policy and operational framework.
The statement was issued by Dr Abdullahi Musa, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NAMA.
