20 Air Traffic Controllers Graduate From NCAT, Kaduna Military School

The managing director and chief executive of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar has revealed that 20 Air Traffic Controllers have been trained and graduated from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and military school in Kaduna.

The NAMA boss state this at the first quarter stakeholders’ engagement on presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables 2026 in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking on the achievements of the agency between January and now, the managing director of NAMA, who was represented by the director of Air Traffic Services at NAMA, Mr. John Tayo said “we have certified 25 air traffic controllers in NAMA. And they all have their licenses and are performing their functions.

“Also, in order to check the activities of our air traffic controllers, again, we did a proficiency check for almost 150 air traffic controllers. To ensure that they have capacity and they are capable of providing the required services by NCAA.”

Speaking at the event, the minister of aviation and aerospace development Festus Keyamo said the forum serves as a strategic platform to review progress, exchange insights and strengthen collaboration in advancing the nation’s developmental agenda through a safe, efficient and globally competitive aviation sector.

He further stated that “The present administration is firmly anchored on the renewed hope agenda with emphasis which emphasizes good governance, accountability and sustainable development. Within this framework, the aviation sector stands as a vital driver of economic growth, job creation and national integration.

“To actualize this vision, the ministry has activated a five-point agenda. One, ensuring strict compliance with safety regulations and continuous upward movement of Nigeria’s rating by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Safety remains our highest priority. Two, supporting the growth and sustenance of local airline businesses whilst holding them to the highest international standards. Three, improving aviation infrastructure including airports, air traffic management systems and allied facilities to ensure efficiency and world-class services. Four, developing human capacity within the industry through targeted training and skills development programs. Five, optimizing revenue generation for the federal government, leveraging innovative approaches and partnerships.

“I am pleased to state that the implementation of this agenda has already yielded significant benefits. Notably, it facilitated collaboration between the ministry and Boeing Company for aircraft leasing to support the sector. This agenda has provided clear strategic direction, aligned innovation activities with national development goals and fostered stronger industry-wide collaboration and partnerships. Furthermore, it has established a robust framework for accountability, enabling us to monitor progress, optimize resource allocation and enhance public confidence in the sector.”

While presenting the achievements of the agency so far, the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo said “safety remains a cornerstone of our regulatory mandate. In this regard, the authority has sustained robust safety oversight in alliance with international standards while strengthening compliance with ICAO regulations and requirements.

“We have also maintained strong performance in the respect of safety of corporates, ensuring that reported incidents are effectively investigated and proved, thereby reinforcing a proactive and responsive safety management system across the industry. As part of our efforts to strengthen infrastructure safety and operational compliance, the Authority successfully certified Kano International Airport and Port Harcourt International Airport, issuing aerodrome certificates in the last quarter of 2025. This achievement brings the total number of certified international airports in Nigeria to four, reflecting steady progress in meeting global aerodrome certification standards.”

He further stated that “building on this progress, the Authority is currently preparing for the ICAO Integrated Validation Mission, which will further validate Nigeria’s performance in addressing safety oversight gaps and reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement.”