Nigeria's NAMA seeks 56% of aviation revenue pool as NCAA pushes for 65% share

Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), urged the House of Representatives to increase NAMA’s allocation from the current 22 % to 56 % of the statutory five‑percent aviation revenue pool. He argued that rising operational costs, inflation, foreign‑exchange volatility and the need to modernise air‑navigation infrastructure have left the agency under‑funded despite its role in providing communication, navigation, surveillance and air‑traffic‑management services across Nigeria. NAMA’s 2023 expenditures exceeded ₦43 billion, covering personnel, capital projects and overhead.

Capt. Chris Najomo, Director‑General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), also addressed the committee, demanding the restoration of the NCAA’s original 65 % share of the same pool. He said the NCAA depends heavily on the ticket‑sales charge for its operations and that any additional support for NAMA should first come from improving NAMA’s commercial revenue streams and corporate governance. Najomo highlighted that NAMA already draws income from at least 16 commercial charges and that the funding adjustment is needed to meet ICAO audit recommendations and align Nigeria with global best practices.