By Our Reporter
Following the Federal Government’s directive for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to relocate its headquarters from Lagos to Abuja, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Thursday announced the award of a N21.68 billion contract for the construction of a state-of-the-art corporate headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory, to be completed within 30 months.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Keyamo said the contract, valued at N21,684,314,839.40 and awarded to Messrs NHD Interbiz Projects Limited, would deliver a modern, purpose-built facility designed to consolidate NAMA’s administrative and operational functions, improve efficiency, strengthen safety oversight, and enable real-time management of Nigeria’s airspace. He described the project as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to modernising critical aviation infrastructure.
The minister said the facility would integrate executive offices with a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Management Centre, providing a secure, technology-driven environment for air navigation services. He added that the contract followed the Public Procurement Act 2007 and a transparent tendering process, assuring that the contractor would be held to strict standards of quality and timely delivery. Keyamo noted that the project would also create jobs, stimulate economic activity, enhance asset security, and boost investor confidence in the aviation sector.
NAMA Managing Director, Engr. Farouq Umar, said the agency had operated from Lagos since its establishment in 1999 but began relocating to Abuja in 2020 in compliance with government policy, forcing staff to work from temporary facilities in the capital. He noted that the new headquarters would provide a permanent base and significantly enhance operational efficiency.
Umar added that the new facility would merge the Lagos and Kano Area Control Centres into a single, centralised hub, creating a unified “One Flight Information Region (FIR)” for Nigeria. He said this would improve coordination, efficiency, and the overall safety of the nation’s air navigation services.