The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has achieved a landmark feat by winning the prestigious African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Free Route Airspace Award, making it the first organisation on the continent to receive the honour.
The award, presented during the 57th AFRAA General Assembly in Angola and received on behalf of the agency by NAMA’s Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr. John Tayo, recognises NAMA’s excellence in service delivery, innovation, and its pioneering role in implementing the Free Route Airspace (FRA) in Africa.
AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abderahmane Berthe, commended NAMA for championing airspace safety, efficiency, and competitiveness across the African aviation sector. He noted that the agency has consistently invested in modernising its systems, positioning Nigeria as a leading contributor to the continent’s aviation development.
Nigeria commenced the conceptualisation, development, charting, and publication of the Free Route Airspace structure beginning with the Kano Flight Information Region (FIR). The FRA was officially implemented on 2 December 2021, marking a major milestone in the country’s airspace modernisation effort.
Post-implementation assessments revealed several operational benefits, including reduced flight times, lower fuel consumption, reduced carbon emissions, and decreased workload for pilots and air traffic controllers. Airlines also recorded improved route efficiency, smoother traffic flows, and increased connectivity between Kano FIR and neighbouring FIRs.
NAMA further reported an increase in internally generated revenue (IGR) driven by higher flight rotations enabled through Direct Route Operations (DRO).
Mr. John Tayo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support and praised NAMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, describing him as a visionary whose commitment to technology and human capital has elevated the agency to global standards.
Looking ahead, Nigeria plans to deepen cross-border FRA implementation in collaboration with adjacent FIRs across the ICAO AFI region, including Accra, Niamey, Ndjamena, Douala, and Brazzaville. The goal is to support seamless operations for airlines and advance Africa’s progress toward a harmonised continental airspace.
The AFRAA award underscores Nigeria’s growing leadership in airspace innovation and reaffirms NAMA’s role in shaping the future of aviation across Africa.
