NAMA, NCAA chiefs tap Montreal ICAO conference for efficiency, safety 

Sade Williams/Business a.m.

Farouk Ahmed Umar, managing director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and his counterpart, Chris Najomo, acting director general, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), accompanied by some top management team from NAMA, led discussion at the just concluded 14th Air Navigation Conference (AN-Conf/14) held at the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada.

The conference is a critical global platform that gathers aviation experts to discuss issues concerning air traffic management, safety, security, and operational efficiency.

Apart from members of NCAA management, the delegation from Nigeria included other major industry leaders. The NCAA, as Nigeria’s aviation regulatory body, is the focal agency for coordinating Nigeria’s participation in ICAO’s global initiatives.

The 14th Air Navigation Conference centred around the theme, “Performance Improvement Driving Sustainability,” with the aim of fostering global consensus on performance improvement initiatives.

These discussions are vital as they address how ICAO member states, including Nigeria, can adapt to aviation’s environmental challenges and the rapid advancements in operational technologies.

During the conference, technical experts engaged in detailed discussions, which led to high-level recommendations in air navigation and safety.

These recommendations will also be submitted to the ICAO Council for approval and eventual adoption by the ICAO Assembly during its 42nd Session in 2025. This will significantly impact the future of aviation safety and efficiency in Nigeria as these global standards will be incorporated into national policies.

Speaking on the importance of the conference, Farouk Umar remarked: “The Air Navigation Conference is pivotal for ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation sector remains at the forefront of global best practices. By participating in these discussions, NAMA is not only enhancing air traffic management capabilities but also contributing to the broader goal of making our aviation operations more sustainable and efficient.”

A statement by Abdullahi Musa, director, public affairs and consumer protection, NAMA, noted that a key focus of the conference was ICAO’s long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of achieving net zero carbon emissions in international aviation by 2050. As part of these global efforts, Nigeria’s aviation sector is poised to embrace innovative solutions that align with sustainability and environmental goals, while ensuring safety remains a top priority.

The participation of Nigerian stakeholders in these discussions demonstrates the country’s commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible aviation industry. The recommendations and strategies adopted during the conference will directly influence Nigeria’s airspace management policies and regulatory framework, thereby improving air traffic safety, security, and environmental sustainability.

NAMA’s delegation also included top officials such as Terese Iheanacho, director, safety, electronic and engineering services; John Tayo, director, air traffic services; Muonemeh Ndubuisi, director, finance and accounts; Abba Ahmad, director, special duties; special assistant on strategy to the managing director; and other key personnel.

Through NAMA’s active involvement in AN-Conf/14, Nigeria is positioning itself as a forward-looking nation in global aviation, ready to implement cutting-edge practices that will drive improvements in air navigation and air traffic safety for years to come.