NAMA Unions Oppose Privatisation, Seek Higher Share Of Aviation Revenue
The three in-house unions of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have rejected calls for the privatisation or commercialisation of the agency, insisting that Nigeria’s airspace is a strategic national asset that must remain under government control.
The unions, comprising the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), made their position known in a joint statement issued on Sunday.
They argued that NAMA’s primary responsibility is to safeguard Nigeria’s airspace and ensure the safety of flight operations, rather than operate as a profit-driven commercial organisation.
The statement was issued in response to a recent proposal by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which urged the Federal Government to privatise or commercialise the air navigation service provider.
Rejecting the recommendation, the unions described it as a proposal that failed to recognise the strategic importance, security implications and international obligations associated with the management of air navigation services.
According to the unions, NAMA is responsible for managing critical aviation infrastructure, including aeronautical information systems, communication, navigation and surveillance facilities, airspace structures, aeronautical charts and instrument flight procedures, all of which are essential to safe and efficient flight operations.
They maintained that any discussion on the agency’s funding should reflect the enormous investment required to maintain aviation safety systems rather than focus solely on revenue generation.
The unions stressed that Nigeria’s airspace remains a sovereign national asset whose management should not be subjected to policies that could compromise national security or aviation safety.
They warned that exposing critical aviation infrastructure and sensitive operational systems to commercial interests could pose significant risks to the country’s aviation sector.
In addition to opposing privatisation, the unions called for a review of the Ticket Service Charge (TSC) sharing formula to increase NAMA’s allocation to 40 per cent. They argued that the adjustment would provide the agency with adequate resources to sustain investments in air navigation infrastructure and modernise Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems.
The workers also urged the Federal Government to ensure that all revenues generated within the aviation sector are reinvested exclusively in aviation development to strengthen safety and operational efficiency.
They further commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his efforts in advancing reforms within the aviation industry and encouraged him to continue prioritising the development of critical aviation institutions.
Reaffirming their position, the unions declared that the safety of millions of air travellers must remain paramount, insisting that Nigeria’s airspace should not be privatised and that aviation safety must never be compromised.
