Nigeria may soon witness a major upgrade of its airspace surveillance infrastructure as the Federal Government renews its commitment to strengthening aviation safety following concerns raised by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) over ageing radar systems.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, disclosed that the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system, a critical component of the nation’s air navigation services, is due for modernization after years of operation.

Speaking during a familiarisation visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmoud Adam Kambari, Engr. Farouk explained that the TRACON system, deployed between 2008 and 2010, has served the country effectively but is now approaching the end of its technological lifecycle.

He noted that globally, aviation technology continues to evolve, making upgrades essential to maintain compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and ensure seamless air traffic management.

The TRACON project, commissioned in 2001 as a multi-billion-naira safety initiative, provides comprehensive radar surveillance across Nigeria through a network of nine radar sites, enabling real-time tracking and coordination of aircraft.

Despite the current limitations, Farouk highlighted ongoing efforts and strategic plans by NAMA to sustain operations while preparing for system upgrades.

He also pointed to broader challenges such as funding constraints, rising operational costs, and the need for enhanced manpower and training.

In response, Permanent Secretary Mahmoud Adam Kambari reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting aviation agencies and ensuring the continued safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s airspace.

Kambari emphasized the importance of collaboration across agencies and announced plans to strengthen coordination through regular top management meetings involving key stakeholders in the aviation sector.

He further assured that staff welfare, training, and timely promotions would be prioritised to boost morale and productivity, noting that a motivated workforce is critical to achieving operational excellence.

“We will continue to support all agencies to succeed, ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation industry remains a key economic driver and a hub of global connectivity,” Kambari said.

He also commended Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar for his leadership, describing him as a seasoned professional guiding the agency through a critical phase.

The renewed focus on upgrading Nigeria’s surveillance systems underscores the government’s broader commitment to aligning the aviation sector with global best practices and sustaining its strong performance in ICAO evaluations.

The Federal Government has officially flagged off the construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Abuja, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s aviation modernization agenda.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, was performed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

In a statement signed by NAMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr. Abdullahi Musa, the Minister described the project as “a declaration of intent and a tangible demonstration of our unwavering commitment to modernizing the critical infrastructure that underpins the safety, efficiency, and growth of Nigerian aviation.”

Keyamo said the new complex would consolidate the agency’s administrative and operational functions into a purpose-built facility befitting its national importance.

“For too long, our agencies have operated in silos and in structures that do not reflect their national significance. With this new headquarters, we are creating a conducive environment that fosters innovation, enhances collaboration, and boosts morale among aviation professionals,” he stated.

According to him, the facility will integrate executive management offices with a state-of-the-art ATM Centre, enhancing operational efficiency, safety oversight, and real-time response capabilities. He stressed that the project is being executed in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007 through a transparent and competitive bidding process.

“There will be no compromise on specifications or delivery benchmarks,” the Minister assured, adding that the contractor would be held to the highest standards of quality and timelines.

Earlier, NAMA Managing Director, Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, described the occasion as a historic turning point for the agency. He recalled that since its establishment in 1999, NAMA operated its administrative headquarters from Lagos for over two decades before relocation to Abuja began in 2020.

“For the past six years, our staff have operated from temporary facilities in Abuja, yet they have continued to deliver safe and reliable air navigation services. Today, we take a definitive step toward providing them with a world-class facility,” Farouk said.

He disclosed that the new ATM Centre would centralize Nigeria’s airspace management by merging the existing Area Control Centres in Lagos and Kano into a single hub in Abuja, creating what he termed a cohesive “One Flight Information Region (FIR)” for the country.

“From this location, NAMA will exercise consolidated oversight of Nigeria’s airspace. A unified radar view reduces coordination risks during sector handovers and enhances overall situational awareness,” he explained.

Farouk noted that the new system would deploy cutting-edge automation to optimize flight paths, reduce redundancies, improve fuel efficiency for airlines, and lower long-term operational costs.

The facility will accommodate 15 to 16 departments and include a 200-seat conference hall, library, registry, executive suites, and staff welfare amenities such as rest facilities for air traffic controllers, a daycare centre, recreational areas, a drivers’ lounge, standby power systems, water treatment plant, multiple security posts, and expanded parking spaces.

He also called for sustained federal funding to implement NAMA’s proposed Dual Surveillance System, designed to support both civil air traffic management and military command-and-control operations.

“This is not merely a technological upgrade; it is a strategic investment in securing our sovereign airspace and strengthening coordination between civil aviation and national defense institutions,” Farouk added.

Nigeria’s aviation sector suffered a major setback on Monday following a fire outbreak at Terminal I of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), which resulted in a significant loss of communication capability and disruption of critical air traffic services, according to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Ahmed Umar.

Umar disclosed this after inspecting the damaged facility, explaining that the blaze destroyed key air-to-ground communication infrastructure, forcing the temporary suspension of inbound flights into Lagos airspace.

Air-to-ground communication is a core pillar of aviation safety, enabling real-time coordination between aircraft and Air Traffic Controllers through Very High Frequency (VHF) radio systems, as well as High Frequency (HF) and satellite links for long-range operations.

The NAMA chief said the fire originated from the server room on the first floor and spread vertically, severely damaging communication and navigation systems essential for air traffic management.

“The agency recorded a significant loss of communication capability, alongside disruptions to other critical air traffic services,” Umar said, adding that the extent of the damage made it necessary to suspend inbound aircraft operations into Lagos at the time of the incident.

He noted that swift intervention by NAMA’s Director of Operations and engineering teams helped stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation.

The incident also trapped 14 personnel including air traffic controllers and engineers on the ninth floor of the control tower after smoke blocked escape routes. They were later rescued with the assistance of a construction crane while the fire was being contained.

Umar said NAMA engineers promptly switched to backup communication systems sourced from other locations, while controllers were temporarily relocated to the Fire Tower, a secondary facility, allowing aerodrome and approach services to resume later in the evening.

As part of recovery measures, civil works are underway to deploy a mobile control tower at the airfield. The unit is expected to be fully operational within 48 hours and will provide more robust communication support than the temporary backup systems currently in use.

Although the terminal building was already scheduled for demolition under a N712 billion reconstruction project, the fire destroyed billions of naira worth of operational equipment. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) office was also completely destroyed, including critical weather-monitoring equipment.

Umar commended NAMA personnel who remained at their duty posts during the emergency, describing their actions as courageous and professional.

“Some of them were supposed to run and leave their posts, but they stayed to salvage the situation,” he said.

He assured the flying public that Nigeria’s airspace remains safe, despite the disruption.

“We are highly professional and ready to provide air traffic control. Safety remains our top priority,” Umar stated, adding that the agency is taking steps to further strengthen its systems following the incident.