NAMA's New Headquarters: Engr. Ahmed Farouk's Indelible Legacy

HMA FESTUS KEYAMO LEADS GROUNDBREAKING OF NAMA’S ULTRA-MODERN HEADQUARTERS ALONGSIDE NAMA MD, ENGR. FAROUK AHMED UMAR

The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on 26th February 2026, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)’s new Corporate Headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Centre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The ceremony, held alongside the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation reform agenda and reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to modernizing and centralizing the nation’s airspace management system.

The state-of-the-art facility will serve as both NAMA’s Corporate Headquarters and a centralized national ATM Centre. Upon completion, it will integrate air traffic control operations currently managed from Kano and Lagos into a single, secure, and technologically advanced location. The consolidation is expected to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen safety oversight, and ensure improved compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

In his remarks, HMA Festus Keyamo described the project as a strategic investment designed to align Nigeria’s aviation sector with global best practices. He emphasized the critical role of aviation in national security, economic growth, and international connectivity.

Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, in his address, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Honourable Minister for prioritizing aviation infrastructure. He noted that the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the project reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening critical national infrastructure and enhancing the safety of Nigeria’s airspace.

The contract for the project was awarded to NHD Interbiz Projects Limited, marking the commencement of what is expected to be a transformative development in Nigeria’s airspace management architecture.

Dignitaries present at the event included the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation; Chairman, House Committee on Aviation; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, Director-General/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority; Captain Chris Ona Najomo, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria; the Rector/Chief Executive of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency; the Director-General/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau; NAMA management and staff; as well as other stakeholders and invited guests.

The groundbreaking signals the beginning of a new chapter for Nigeria’s aviation sector—one defined by coordination, innovation, and a renewed commitment to safety and operational excellence.