By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Thursday, asked the National Assembly to increase its share of the statutory five per cent aviation revenue pool from the current 22 per cent to 56 per cent, warning that the rising cost of maintaining safety-critical infrastructure was putting increasing pressure on the country’s air navigation system.

Managing Director of NAMA, Engr.

At the same hearing, the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, also asked the National Assembly to include it as a statutory beneficiary of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and allocate not less than 10 per cent of the revenue to the institution for aviation manpower development, research and innovation.

Umar told the lawmakers that the safety of the aviation sector depends on strong and adequately funded institutions, stressing that the regulator must be strong, meteorological services dependable, accident and incident investigation independent and aviation training excellent.

He, however, said it was equally important for the law regulating the sector to recognise, in practical and sustainable terms, the enormous responsibility placed on NAMA as Nigeria’s sole Air Navigation Service Provider.

According to him, NAMA currently receives only 22 per cent of the five per cent statutory revenue pool despite carrying a substantial portion of the operational responsibilities required for safe flight operations across the country.

He therefore asked the National Assembly to increase NAMA’s allocation to 56 per cent of the available pool, stressing that the proposal would not increase the existing five per cent charge but would ensure a more sustainable allocation of the available revenue to the agency responsible for critical air navigation infrastructure.

Umar said NAMA’s responsibilities begin long before passengers board an aircraft and continue throughout every stage of flight operations.

The NAMA boss told the Committee that the cost of keeping Nigerian airspace safe had outgrown the existing funding formula, pointing out that the agency recorded a total cost profile exceeding N43 billion in 2023.

According to him, the expenditure included approximately N21 billion in personnel costs, more than N12 billion in capital expenditure and over N10 billion in overheads.

He also raised concerns over the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system, saying the ageing surveillance infrastructure now requires a deliberate renewal and transition programme.

According to him, as equipment ages, spare parts become increasingly difficult to obtain while manufacturers’ support changes, making sustained investment in replacement and modernisation imperative.

Umar said the global aviation system was also becoming increasingly digital, interconnected and exposed to cyber risks, requiring greater investment in performance-based navigation, digital aeronautical information, satellite-enabled surveillance and integrated flight-data systems.

He said such technologies promised improved capacity and efficiency but required substantial investment in equipment, data quality, specialised skills and cybersecurity.

The NAMA managing director also asked the National Assembly to recognise obstacle assessment and WGS-84 aeronautical surveys as chargeable technical services performed by the agency.

He said NAMA was the only federal aviation agency that connected WGS-84 survey data, obstacle analysis, aeronautical information, procedure design and operational management of airspace within one technical chain.

Umar maintained that while the regulatory component of Aviation Height Clearance should remain with the appropriate regulator, NAMA should be directly paid for technical services involving WGS-84 survey validation, obstacle assessment, procedure-impact analysis and field work.

He further argued that adequately funding NAMA would produce benefits extending beyond the agency to airlines, airports, passengers, trade, tourism and national security.

Umar pledged NAMA’s support for automated collection and remittance of revenues, quarterly disclosure of receipts and projects, annual independent audits, transparent procurement and measurable performance indicators.

The NAMA boss also urged the National Assembly to harmonise existing aviation laws, pointing out that while the Civil Aviation Act currently provides a 22 per cent allocation to NAMA, the NAMA Act refers to 23 per cent in its Fund provisions.

Umar acknowledged that reallocating the statutory revenue pool would raise legitimate concerns among other aviation agencies, but argued that the final formula should be determined by audited costs, statutory mandates and risks rather than preserving historical percentages.

Making his final appeal, Umar asked the lawmakers to appreciate the critical infrastructure and personnel behind the management of Nigeria’s airspace.

Meanwhile, the African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja, asked the National Assembly to recognise aviation manpower development as a critical component of the industry deserving statutory funding.

Presenting the university’s position paper, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Mustapha Abdullahi said that AAAU occupies a unique position in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem as the country’s specialised federal university dedicated to aviation, aerospace and allied disciplines.

The institution said it was established specifically to develop the highly skilled manpower required to sustain Nigeria’s aviation industry and should therefore be recognised as a statutory beneficiary of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge.

According to the university, the proposed amendments to the aviation laws provide an opportunity to ensure that funding within the sector is aligned not only with immediate operational responsibilities but also with the long-term sustainability of aviation manpower development.

AAAU argued that aviation safety ultimately depends on competent professionals, including air traffic managers, aeronautical engineers, aviation managers, safety specialists, meteorologists, airspace planners, aerospace scientists, airport managers and environmental specialists.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen reiterated the 10th Assembly’s resolve to strengthen the financial framework of our aviation industry and enhance the capacity of aviation agencies to effectively manage and safeguard Nigeria’s airspace, underscoring the need to ensure investors’ confidence in the industry.

In his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Garba applauded the contributions of various stakeholders towards the safety and development of Nigeria’s aviation sector, adding that the bills are aimed at strengthening the financial and institutional framework of the aviation industry, with direct implications for safety, transparency and service delivery.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called on manufacturers to embrace capital restructuring, digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence and other smart manufacturing technologies to improve productivity, reduce costs and remain competitive despite prevailing economic challenges.

Speaking at the 13th Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Abuja/Nasarawa/Niger Branch, in Abuja, Mahmoud described manufacturing as a key driver of economic growth, employment generation and national prosperity.

The Minister, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Social Development Secretaria, Helen Zamani, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to creating an enabling environment for manufacturing and industrial development through sustained investment in critical infrastructure and business-friendly policies.

The Minister noted that the FCT Administration, under the leadership of the Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has continued to invest in roads, transportation, water supply, security and urban renewal to enhance the ease of doing business and attract private sector investment.

Mahmoud also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to promote investment, technology transfer, innovation, skills development, and local content.

He reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s support for initiatives that advance enterprise, industrialisation and inclusive economic growth in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She commended the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for its steadfast advocacy for policies that strengthen Nigeria’s productive sector and expressed confidence that the meeting’s deliberations would produce practical solutions to advance sustainable industrial development.

The Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Abuja, Nasarawa and Niger Branch, Kayode Alonge, has called on governments at all levels to intensify support for the manufacturing sector by addressing critical infrastructure deficits, high energy costs, multiple taxation, insecurity and limited access to affordable financing.

Alonge noted that despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges, manufacturers across the three jurisdictions have remained resilient, sustaining production, creating jobs and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy.

He appealed to the FCT Administration and the governments of Nasarawa and Niger States to strengthen investments in industrial infrastructure, particularly roads, electricity and security.

He urged the federal government to institutionalise the Nigeria First Policy to promote local manufacturing and industrial competitiveness.

The Branch Chairman specifically commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the administration’s massive infrastructure development across the Territory, while appealing for urgent intervention in the Idu Industrial District to address poor road infrastructure and unstable power supply affecting manufacturing activities.

Alonge reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to promoting innovation, renewable energy adoption, local sourcing, strategic partnerships and sustainable industrial growth, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration between government and the private sector would unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Tinubu Administration recognises Nigeria’s advertising and creative industries as key drivers of economic growth, job creation and innovation, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to policies that will help the sector thrive.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, made the statement on Thursday at the Advertising Industry Colloquium (AIC) 4.

“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognises the strategic importance of Nigeria’s creative and advertising ecosystem to national development. Our administration is implementing bold reforms to build a competitive digital economy capable of creating jobs, attracting investments and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s innovation hub,” Idris said.

He noted that Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, supported by over 170 million active telecommunications subscriptions and ongoing broadband infrastructure projects, has created new opportunities for advertisers, content creators and digital entrepreneurs.

The Minister described advertising as an industry that goes beyond promoting products, saying it shapes culture, drives economic activity, supports businesses and strengthens national development.

He stressed the need for a balance between innovation and regulation, noting that digital platforms and Artificial Intelligence must be supported by responsible governance.

“Effective regulation is not an obstacle to growth; it is the foundation for sustainable development. A transparent and forward-looking regulatory framework builds investor confidence, protects consumers and promotes fair competition,” he said.

Idris also urged industry stakeholders to embrace innovation while protecting creativity, ethics, and intellectual property, adding that the government would continue to work with ARCON and other stakeholders to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading hub for responsible advertising, creative excellence, and digital innovation.