The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, and the Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, are leading Nigeria’s delegation at the 14th Air Navigation Conference (AN-Conf/14) held at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
The conference, themed “Performance Improvement Driving Sustainability,” brings together global aviation experts to discuss critical issues such as air traffic management, safety, security, and sustainability in aviation.
Nigeria’s delegation includes key members from NAMA and NCAA, as well as other aviation stakeholders. The conference serves as a global platform for countries to engage in discussions aimed at improving operational efficiency and addressing environmental challenges in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.
During the conference, participants are focusing on ICAO’s long-term aspirational goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions in international aviation by 2050. Nigerian delegates actively contributed to these discussions, exploring innovative strategies to align the nation’s aviation sector with global environmental targets while maintaining high safety standards.
Speaking on Nigeria’s role at the conference, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar emphasized the importance of aligning with global aviation best practices. “This conference is crucial for ensuring that Nigeria remains at the forefront of global aviation trends. 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,” he said.
The outcomes of AN-Conf/14 will generate high-level recommendations on air navigation and safety, which will be submitted to the ICAO Council for approval and adoption during the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly in 2025. These recommendations will influence Nigeria’s airspace management policies, ensuring the country adopts international best practices in aviation safety, security, and environmental sustainability.
NAMA’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Musa, highlighted the significance of ICAO’s strategic planning for 2023-2025, noting that the conference outcomes will inform ICAO’s Business Plan and guide the development of future priorities. Nigeria’s active participation underscores its commitment to fostering a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible aviation industry.
The Nigerian delegation also includes top officials such as NAMA’s Director of Safety Electronic and Engineering Services, Engr. Terese Iheanacho; Director of Air Traffic Services, John Tayo; Director of Finance and Accounts, Muonemeh Ndubuisi; and Director of Special Duties, Abba Ahmad.
Through NAMA’s and NCAA’s involvement in this global conference, Nigeria is positioning itself as a forward-thinking nation in aviation, ready to implement cutting-edge practices that will improve air traffic safety, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
