By Joy Onu
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Thursday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Describing the project as a major milestone, Keyamo said the development reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthening aviation safety, expanding critical infrastructure, and creating employment opportunities within the sector.
The Minister noted that since its establishment over two decades ago, NAMA has operated without a permanent corporate headquarters, describing the new facility as long overdue and a testament to the dedication of personnel who manage Nigeria’s airspace daily.
According to him, the complex will enhance operational efficiency, reinforce safety architecture, promote innovation, attract investment, and contribute to economic growth. He added that the project is being executed in strict compliance with Bureau of Public Procurement guidelines and is scheduled for completion within 30 months.
Keyamo charged the contractor to treat the assignment as a national priority, warning against any compromise on quality, specifications, or safety standards. He directed that the project be closely monitored to ensure timely and standard delivery.
The Minister also commiserated with NAMA over the recent fire incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, commending the agency for its swift intervention in restoring normal operations.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of NAMA, Farouk Ahmed Umar, expressed appreciation to the President and the Minister for facilitating the long-awaited headquarters project. He described it as monumental, noting that the agency had operated for more than 20 years without a befitting office complex.
Umar said the new headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre would unify and modernise Nigeria’s airspace management system, reduce technical redundancies, improve staff welfare, and strengthen safety and innovation. He appealed for sustained funding and effective monitoring, given the capital-intensive nature of the project.
Other aviation stakeholders who delivered goodwill messages included the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo; the Director-General of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, Alex Badeh Jnr; the Rector of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Danjuma Ismaila; and the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Prof. Charles Anosike.
They emphasised the importance of timely completion and strict adherence to construction and safety standards.
Also speaking, the Director of Human Resources Management at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Lukeman Olatunbosun, described the groundbreaking as timely and significant for sector-wide efficiency and innovation.
The contractor, NHB Interbiz Project Ltd, assured stakeholders of its commitment to delivering a world-class facility within the agreed timeline and in accordance with prescribed structural and safety standards.
Dignitaries at the event included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, and representatives of key aviation and security agencies.
