Aviation unions have endorsed calls for the commercialisation or privatisation of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), describing the move as necessary to modernise the nation’s air navigation infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
The unions, comprising the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), said the proposal would enable the agency to access alternative sources of funding needed for critical upgrades.
In a joint statement, the unions argued that NAMA’s current dependence on government allocations and statutory funding had limited its ability to implement major infrastructure projects and technological improvements.
According to them, commercialisation or privatisation would unlock access to private equity, international financing, bond markets and other investment opportunities required to deploy modern air navigation systems and strengthen operational capacity.
The unions noted that such a transition would allow the agency to make timely and operationally driven decisions without being constrained by bureaucratic processes and annual budget cycles.
“Currently, NAMA depends heavily on government budgets and statutory sources of funding, a model that is often constrained by funding limitations,” the statement said.
They added that access to private capital would support the deployment of next-generation technologies, including satellite-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) systems and modern backup infrastructure aimed at enhancing aviation safety.
The unions maintained that the proposed reform would help position NAMA as a self-sustaining organisation capable of meeting growing demands within Nigeria’s aviation sector while aligning with global best practices.
They further stressed that improved funding and operational flexibility would strengthen safety standards, modernise infrastructure and support the long-term development of the country’s airspace management system.
The endorsement follows recent recommendations by the Joint Action Committee of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which advocated structural reforms to improve efficiency and sustainability within the aviation industry.
