Engr.Farou Umar

Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk on Tuesday night received the Exceptional Leadership Award for his transformative and unwavering commitment to operational efficiency and airspace safety since his assumption of office in 2023.

The award was bestowed on Farouk by the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA) at the Award and Dinner Night of its 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja with the theme: ‘The Human Edge: Capacity Building in the Next Generation Air Traffic Management’.

Also, NAMA’s Director for Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr Musa Abdullahi received the Partnership Award while his counterpart and Director of Air Traffic Services (DATS) Mr. John Tayo was conferred with the Leadership Award, the Director for Special Duty, Alhaji Ahmed Abba chart home the Mentorship Award.

President of NATCA, Mr. Amos Edino affirmed that since assuming office, Engr. Umar has demonstrated visionary leadership, technical expertise, while his stewardship has ushered in a new era of modernization and innovation in Nigeria’s air navigation service provision that aligns NAMA’s operations with global best practices as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Speaking also, Mr. John Tayo affirmed that the past two years has seen the successful upgrade and modernization of critical air navigation and surveillance infrastructure, strengthened operational collaboration with ICAO, ASECNA, and other international partners as well the implementation of performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures across key airports.

The DATS added that NAMA will continue to enhanced staff capacity through continuous technical training and professional development and improved both service delivery and stakeholder confidence in Nigeria’s airspace safety management.

Mr. Tayo commended the ATCs affirming that they hold the key to the safety of aircraft and passengers and assured that NAMA will continue to prioritse their welfare.

On his part, the Director for Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, commended the partnership between the association and his directorate, affirming that the ATCs remains life wire of the agency and the country’s airspace safety and management.

The awards he said, will encourage the management to carry out additional major reforms and infrastructure upgrades and increase NAMA’s growing contribution to national and regional aviation development.

Abdullahi affirmed that the Farouk administration has inspire the agency’s workforce and other aviation professionals toward continued excellence and reinforce the federal government’s commitment to advancing safe, efficient, and technology-driven air navigation services.