The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has formally requested that the National Assembly increase its portion of the statutory five per cent aviation revenue pool from 22 per cent to 56 per cent. During a public hearing held by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, NAMA Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, argued that the current funding model fails to cover the mounting expenses associated with maintaining critical safety infrastructure.
Umar emphasized that NAMA functions as the nation’s sole air navigation service provider, managing continuous, technology-dependent operations that require significant capital for radar systems, satellite surveillance, and cybersecurity. He revealed that in 2023, the agency incurred over ₦43 billion in costs, while flight navigation charges have remained stagnant since 2008. He proposed that the agency should also be permitted to charge for specialized technical services, such as WGS-84 aeronautical surveys and obstacle assessments.
To ensure fiscal responsibility, Umar pledged that the agency would adopt automated revenue collection, undergo annual independent audits, and provide measurable performance data to the legislature. He also urged the government to resolve legal discrepancies between the Civil Aviation Act and the NAMA Act regarding funding allocations.
In a related development, the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) requested that the National Assembly designate it as a statutory beneficiary of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge. Acting Vice-Chancellor Mustapha Abdullahi argued that the institution requires a 10 per cent allocation to foster the specialized manpower, research, and innovation essential for the long-term growth of the Nigerian aviation sector.
