Engr. Farouk's 2 Years Anniversary: Special Package from Procurement Dept.

Two Years of Visionary Leadership, Unprecedented Achievements, Legacy Projects Execution, and Enhanced Airspace Safety

As the Nigerian Chief Air Navigation Officer, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, marks two years in office, the Air Navigation Management Agency takes pride in reflecting on a period characterized by visionary leadership, strategic execution, and transformational impact on Nigeria’s airspace infrastructure. 

This milestone provides an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable achievements, steadfast commitment, and operational excellence exhibited by the Managing Director during his tenure.

Within a relatively short span of two years, Engr. Farouk and his dedicated Management Team has demonstrated exceptional foresight, resilience, and dedication, successfully steering the Agency through the complex operational, regulatory, and governance landscape inherent in air navigation management.

 In an environment where safety is paramount and operational errors have potentially far-reaching consequences, his tenure has been marked by clarity of purpose, rigorous adherence to due process, and a results-oriented approach that prioritizes the safety, efficiency, and reliability of Nigeria’s airspace.

Revival and Execution of Legacy Projects

A hallmark of the Managing Director’s leadership has been his ability to revive and execute long-standing legacy projects that had remained stalled for several years. These projects, many of which were technically complex or procedurally delayed, were successfully driven to approval, contract award, and implementation within just two years.

This achievement reflects his strategic prioritization of critical infrastructure, hands-on management approach, and focus on outcomes. By addressing bottlenecks, aligning stakeholders, and coordinating across technical, legal, and administrative units, Engr. Farouk transformed dormant initiatives into actionable projects that now contribute meaningfully to air navigation safety, capacity, and reliability.

The successful execution of these legacy projects underscores the Managing Director’s commitment to institutional continuity, operational efficiency, and national interest, ensuring that previously deferred infrastructure investments are brought to fruition in a timely and compliant manner.

Advancement of Safety-Critical Air Navigation Projects

In addition to legacy project execution, Engr. Farouk has overseen the progression of safety-critical air navigation management projects. 

These projects span communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems, air traffic management platforms, control centre facilities, and other mission-critical infrastructure that form the backbone of safe, orderly, and efficient air traffic flow within Nigeria’s airspace.

Through his strategic guidance, these initiatives successfully obtained approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement, Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC), followed by the subsequent award of contracts, thereby transitioning from planning to tangible implementation. 

The progression from approval to contract award reflects his ability to navigate complex governance structures, ensure compliance with statutory and technical requirements, and instill confidence in oversight authorities.

By ensuring that projects were technically robust, properly justified, and aligned with national aviation safety objectives, Engr. Farouk demonstrated that effective leadership involves both vision and execution, particularly in sectors where operational integrity and public safety are non-negotiable.

Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Stakeholder Confidence

The Managing Director’s leadership has significantly enhanced institutional capacity within the Agency. Under his tenure, the synergy between executive leadership and operational teams has fostered a culture of accountability, professionalism, and results-driven service delivery.

Particularly noteworthy is the contribution of the Procurement Team under the able leadership of *Engr. Tijjani A. A.,* whose diligence, technical competence, and adherence to due process were instrumental in facilitating the seamless progression of projects through BPP, PTB, MTB and FEC approval processes. This collaboration has ensured the transparent, efficient, and compliant award of contracts, while also strengthening the Agency’s credibility with stakeholders such as airlines, aviation regulators, international partners, and the flying public.

The successful execution of both legacy and new safety-critical projects has reinforced stakeholder confidence, demonstrating the Agency’s ability to manage complex, high-value aviation infrastructure projects within approved timelines and regulatory frameworks. This, in turn, enhances Nigeria’s position as a regional aviation hub, promotes operational safety, and ensures alignment with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Operational and Strategic Impact. 

The projects executed under Engr. Farouk’s leadership have had far-reaching operational and strategic benefits, including:

• Enhanced Airspace Safety: Modernized CNS systems and upgraded air traffic management platforms improve situational awareness, reduce risk, and support safe aircraft navigation.

• Increased Operational Efficiency: Streamlined air traffic flow, better communication systems, and integrated control centre operations reduce delays and optimize airspace capacity.

• Compliance with International Standards: Projects adhere to ICAO recommended practices, strengthening Nigeria’s regulatory compliance and international credibility.

• Improved Stakeholder Confidence: Airlines, passengers, and international partners gain assurance from transparent procurement and successful implementation of critical infrastructure.

Leadership Recognition

On this occasion, we from the Procurement Department formally commend the Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, for his extraordinary dedication, resilience, and visionary leadership. 

His ability to revive long-stalled legacy projects, secure BPP, PTB, MTB and FEC approvals, and oversee the award and execution of critical contracts reflects a rare combination of strategic insight, operational discipline, and personal commitment to excellence.

Equally, we acknowledges the vital contributions of the Procurement Team, led by Engr. Tijjani A. A., whose professionalism, precision, and collaborative spirit ensured that all processes were transparent, compliant, and timely. The seamless coordination between leadership and operational teams exemplifies a renewed culture of accountability, integrity, and performance within the Agency.

Conclusion

The second anniversary of the Managing Director’s tenure marks not only a celebration of leadership but also a reaffirmation of the Agency’s commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable air navigation services. Under Engr. Farouk’s guidance, the Agency is now better positioned to sustain modernization efforts, expand airspace capacity, and continue delivering high-quality services in the national interest.

This period serves as a testament to what visionary leadership, disciplined execution, and strategic collaboration can achieve, establishing a solid foundation for continued growth, operational excellence, and enhanced airspace safety for Nigeria and the flying public.

Schedule of Approved and or Awarded Safety-Critical Air Navigation (Legacy Projects)

1. Construction, Termacasation of Ducted Lastmile Fibre Optics, Campus Local Area Network Solution for The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Headquarters, Abuja And Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (Awarded)

2. Expansion of the Jotron Extended Range High Power Stand-Alone VHF Radio over Satellite Network in fourteen (14) stations at Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri, Wukari, Yola, Ilorin, Lagos, Benin, Enugu, Calabar and Portharcourt (Awarded)

3. Procurement and Installation of Alternative Energy Facilities and Conversion to Clean Energy for safety critical equipment (Awarded)

4. Optimization of Nationwide Airspace Surveillance and Air Traffic Control (ATC) (Awarded)

5. Procurement of Critical Navigational Aids Spares (Awarded)

6. Procurement of Operational Vehicles (Awarded)

7. Procurement and Installation of Advance Tertiary Power (Avineering) for all Airports NAVAIDS System and 14 VHF Remote Stations (Awarded)

8. Procurement, Installation, and Commissioning of Modular Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower Cabins with 360-degree views at eight (8) airports: Benin, Akure, Ibadan, Ilorin, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Yola, and Sokoto (Awarded)

9. Construction of the NAMA Corporate Headquarters and Control Centre Building (Awarded). 

10 Procurement, Installation and Commissioning of Two (2) Nos. Mobile Air Traffic Control Tower 

 Mustapha Ibrahim

Procurement Department