In a statement dated August 19, Abdullahi Musa, NAMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said the audit, which commenced on Tuesday, is designed as a self-assessment to evaluate safety performance, operational efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards.
According to Musa, the exercise is crucial to strengthening NAMA’s preparedness for Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) certification by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as well as upcoming international reviews, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) universal safety oversight audit programme and the regional safety team mission.
The audit will assess Nigeria’s Air Traffic Services (ATS), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) facilities, Aeronautical Information Management (AIM), Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. It will also identify risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs).
Inspections will cover the four major international airports—Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt—as well as Enugu, Maiduguri, and several state and private aerodromes, including nationwide CNS facilities.
NAMA’s Managing Director, Farouk Umar, who inaugurated the FIR Audit Committee led by Ahmad Abba, Director of Special Duties, described the exercise as a milestone. He noted that committee members drawn from key departments will work closely with industry stakeholders, regulators, and operational staff to ensure transparency and inclusivity.
“This audit is a landmark initiative, the first of its kind in NAMA’s 25-year history,” Umar said. “It represents a bold and proactive step to reinforce our mandate of delivering safe, efficient, and seamless air navigation services in line with global best practices.”
He added that the exercise goes beyond compliance checks, serving as a platform to embed accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“The safety and efficiency of our airspace is non-negotiable. The successful outcome of this initiative will not only strengthen NAMA’s operational systems but also consolidate Nigeria’s credibility and leadership in the global aviation community,” Umar emphasized.
The MD stressed that the audit aligns with Nigeria’s renewed hope agenda, positioning the country as a model of operational excellence and innovation in African aviation.
