NATCA Celebrates NAMA Boss, Directors for Driving New Era of Airspace Excellence
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk, has been honoured with the Exceptional Leadership Award in recognition of his transformative leadership, commitment to operational efficiency, and dedication to airspace safety since assuming office in 2023.
The prestigious award was presented to Engr. Farouk by the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) during the Award and Dinner Night marking its 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Abuja under the theme: “The Human Edge: Capacity Building in the Next Generation Air Traffic Management.”
In addition to Engr. Farouk’s recognition, other senior officials of NAMA were also celebrated for their outstanding contributions to the agency’s growth and performance.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr Musa Abdullahi, received the Partnership Award; Director of Air Traffic Services (DATS), Mr John Tayo, was presented with the Leadership Award; while the Director of Special Duties, Alhaji Ahmed Abba, was conferred with the Mentorship Award.
President of NATCA, Mr Amos Edino, lauded Engr. Farouk’s visionary leadership and technical expertise, noting that his tenure has ushered in a new era of modernisation and innovation in Nigeria’s air navigation service provision.
He commended the NAMA boss for aligning the agency’s operations with global best practices as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Speaking at the event, NAMA’s Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr John Tayo, highlighted major strides achieved in the past two years, including the successful upgrade and modernisation of critical air navigation and surveillance infrastructure, enhanced collaboration with international partners such as ICAO and ASECNA, and the implementation of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) procedures across major airports in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed that NAMA remains committed to strengthening staff capacity through continuous technical training and professional development, which have enhanced service delivery and increased stakeholder confidence in Nigeria’s airspace management system.
Mr Tayo also commended air traffic controllers, describing them as the custodians of air safety, and assured that their welfare would continue to be a top priority for the agency.
In his remarks, Dr Musa Abdullahi expressed appreciation for the strong partnership between NATCA and his directorate, describing air traffic controllers as the “lifeline of the agency and the country’s airspace safety architecture.”
He noted that the recognition would further motivate NAMA’s management to pursue additional reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and innovations that would bolster the agency’s contribution to national and regional aviation development.
Dr Abdullahi emphasised that the leadership of Engr. Farouk has continued to inspire the agency’s workforce and the broader aviation community, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing safe, efficient, and technology-driven air navigation services across Nigeria.
