The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo on Thursday performed a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of new corporate headquarters and Air Traffic Management (ATM) Center of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The N21,684,314,839.40 is expressed to be completed within 30 months.
Keyamo, while performing the ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the project site, said the event was more than just a symbolic turning of the soil, but a declaration of intent.
He stated: “It is a tangible demonstration of our unwavering, commitment to modernizing the critical infrastructure that underpins the safety, efficiency, and growth of Nigerian aviation.
“The project we are commencing today is a strategic response to the need to consolidate NAMA’s administrative and operational functions into a modern, purpose-built facility.
“For too long, our agencies have operated in silos and in structures that do not reflect their strategic importance. With this new headquarters, we are providing a conducive environment that will foster innovation, enhance collaboration, and boost the morale of the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to keep our airspace safe.”
The minister explained that the new headquarters would integrate executive management functions with a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre, enhancing efficiency, safety oversight, and real time operational responsiveness.
He added that it would also provide a secure, technology enabled environment for the management of Nigeria’s sovereign airspace.
Keyamo noted that the project was being executed in strict adherence to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007, following a transparent and competitive tendering process.
He stressed that the contract for the initial phase has been awarded to Messrs NHD Interbiz Projects Limited at the sum of 21,684,314,839.40.
Keyamo added: “The contractor is expected to complete this phase within the 30 monthsperiod, and we will hold them to the highest standards of quality and timelines as stipulated in the agreement.
“This groundbreaking is not an isolated event. It is a direct and deliberate action pursuant to Executive Order 12. As we break this ground, we are not just excavating earth; we are laying the foundation for the future of air navigation services in Nigeria.
“We are building a legacy of safety, security, and prosperity for generations to come. When completed, this facility will stand as a symbol of reform.”
Earlier, NAMA Managing Director, Farouk Umar noted that for the past six years, the staff of the agency had operated from temporary facilities in Abuja, yet they have continued to deliver on NAMA’s mandate of providing safe, efficient, and reliable air navigation services.
He said: “Today, we take the definitive step to provide them with the world-class facility they so richly deserve.
“This project represents a fundamental shift in how we manage our airspace. For decades, our operations have been decentralized across multiple regions. Today, we announce a bold transition to a modernised, unified system.”
The NAMA boss further hinted that in the heart of the new facility will be a state-of-the-art ATM Center that will consolidate its air traffic control operations.
“By collapsing the two existing Area Control Centres (ACCs) in Lagos and Kano into this single, centralized hub in Abuja, we are creating a more cohesive and efficient “One FIR” (Flight Information Region) for Nigeria.
“This means that from this very spot, NAMA will exercise seamless radar control over the entire Nigerian airspace, ensuring that every aircraft, from take-off to landing, is guided by a single, unified operational authority,” Umar said.