The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has raised concerns before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation over two major issues threatening its operations: the 50 percent deduction of its revenue at source and the outdated N11,000 airline flight charge introduced in 2008.
Speaking at a four-day retreat in Abuja, NAMA’s Managing Director, Farouk Ahmed Umar, said the revenue deductions directly violate Section 9(2) of the NAMA Act 2022, which states that all fees imposed by the agency are not subject to remittance to any other body.
“This is not just a funding issue; it is about national safety and sovereignty. Without financial autonomy, modernisation will stall, safety will be compromised, and Nigeria risks failing to meet international aviation obligations,” Umar warned.
He explained that the practice has crippled the agency’s ability to maintain critical infrastructure such as towers, radars, and communication networks, while also limiting training and remuneration for skilled personnel responsible for airspace safety.
In addition, Umar called for an urgent upward review of the N11,000 fee currently charged airlines per flight. He noted that while the rate has remained static since 2008, airline ticket prices have risen from about N16,000 to between N150,000 and N200,000, creating a huge imbalance.
“We cannot continue this way. We keep modernising to meet global standards, but we are still being paid peanuts. The airlines know this but prefer to ignore the reality,” he said.
Umar urged lawmakers to halt all revenue deductions, resolve overlaps between NAMA and the NCAA, and support the review of charges to reflect current economic realities. He stressed that these measures would empower the agency to modernise operations, innovate, and guarantee safer skies for Nigeria.
Committee Chairman Abdullahi Garba, represented by his deputy Festus Akingbaso, said the retreat was aimed at strengthening collaboration and improving legislative oversight in advancing Nigeria’s aviation sector.
