Nigeria Launches Construction of New Headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre in Abuja
Oru Leonard
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has officially commenced construction of a new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), in Abuja, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation modernization agenda.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, was performed by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. 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.”
Addressing industry stakeholders and government officials, Keyamo noted that the new facility represents a strategic step toward consolidating NAMA’s administrative and operational functions within a modern, purpose-built complex that reflects the agency’s 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 the morale of the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to keep our airspace safe,” he stated.
The Minister explained that the complex will integrate executive management offices with a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre, enhancing operational efficiency, safety oversight, and real-time responsiveness. He emphasized that the facility will provide a secure, technology-enabled environment for managing Nigeria’s sovereign airspace, while strengthening institutional credibility and investor confidence in the aviation sector.
Keyamo further disclosed that the project is being executed in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, following a transparent and competitive tendering process. He assured stakeholders that the contractor would be held to the highest standards of quality and timelines, with no compromise on specifications or delivery benchmarks.
Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director of NAMA, Ahmed Umar Farouk, described the occasion as a historic milestone for the agency. Established in 1999, NAMA operated its administrative headquarters in Lagos for over two decades before commencing its formal relocation to Abuja in 2020 in alignment with federal government policy.
“For the past six years, our staff have operated from temporary facilities in Abuja, yet they have continued to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable air navigation services. Today, we take the definitive step to provide them with the world-class facility they deserve,” Farouk said.
He revealed that the new headquarters will house a centralized, cutting-edge Air Traffic Management Centre that will redefine how Nigeria manages its airspace. As part of this transformation, NAMA is transitioning toward a unified operational structure by consolidating the existing Area Control Centres in Lagos and Kano into a single centralized hub in Abuja.
According to Farouk, this will create a cohesive One Flight Information Region (FIR) for Nigeria, enabling seamless radar control of the entire national airspace from a unified command centre.
“From this very spot, NAMA will exercise consolidated oversight of Nigeria’s airspace, ensuring that every aircraft, from take-off to landing, is guided by a single, harmonized operational authority. A unified radar view reduces coordination risks during sector handovers and enhances overall situational awareness,” he stated.
The new ATM Centre will be powered by advanced automation systems designed for high reliability and scalability to accommodate projected growth in air traffic over the coming decades. The system is expected to optimize flight paths, reduce redundancies, improve fuel efficiency for airlines, and lower long-term operational costs.
The headquarters complex will provide office accommodation for 15 to 16 departments, a 200-capacity conference hall, a library and registry, as well as dedicated suites for executive management and directors. Staff welfare facilities will include rest areas for air traffic controllers, a drivers’ lounge, recreational spaces, a daycare centre, and robust support infrastructure such as a dedicated water treatment plant, standby power systems, multiple security posts, and expansive parking facilities.
While celebrating the milestone, Farouk appealed for sustained federal funding support, particularly for NAMA’s proposed Dual Surveillance System, which is designed to serve both conventional Air Traffic Management functions and a dedicated military command-and-control role.
“This is not merely a technological upgrade,” he said. “It is a strategic investment in securing our sovereign airspace and strengthening coordination between civil aviation authorities and national defence institutions.”
The project underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening aviation safety, enhancing operational efficiency, and positioning Nigeria as a leading air transport hub in Africa.
