The in-house unions of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have kicked against any proposal capable of undermining Nigeria’s sovereign control over strategic aviation infrastructure.
The unions, comprising the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), in a statement on Sunday, said that the country’s airspace remained a national asset that must be protected.

The unions also called for a review of the Ticket Service Charge (TSC) sharing formula to increase NAMA’s allocation in recognition of its safety-critical responsibilities.
Their position followed a recent call by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) urging the Federal Government to privatise or commercialise NAMA.

Reacting to the proposal, the unions described the recommendation as a cause for concern, arguing that it indicated inadequate appreciation of the strategic importance, security sensitivity and international obligations associated with Air Navigation Services (ANS).
The unions maintained that NAMA was not established as an ordinary commercial organisation primarily for profit generation, but as a strategic national institution responsible for the safe management of Nigeria’s sovereign airspace.

They stressed that the agency manages critical aviation infrastructure and information systems, including aeronautical databases, Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems, aeronautical charts, airspace structures, instrument flight procedures, and Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) facilities.
According to them, any discussion around NAMA’s funding must take into consideration the agency’s huge responsibilities, noting that its role goes beyond revenue collection to continuous investment in the safety systems that support flight operations.

The unions in a joint statement said: “At a time when the aviation industry requires professionalism, technical understanding, collaboration and collective commitment to protecting national assets, it is unfortunate that representatives within a critical aviation institution would advance a position that appears not to fully appreciate the strategic importance, security sensitivity and international obligations associated with Air Navigation Services.”
“Nigeria’s airspace is a sovereign national asset. The safety of millions of passengers must never be subjected to poorly considered policy experiments. NAMA is not for sale. Nigeria’s airspace is not for sale. Safety is not negotiable.”

The unions further demanded that aviation-generated revenues be reserved strictly for aviation development, while calling for sustained investment in CNS/ATM modernisation and adequate funding of NAMA as Nigeria’s Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP).
They argued that protecting Nigeria’s airspace was not only an aviation responsibility but also a national security obligation, warning that any action capable of weakening critical aviation infrastructure or exposing sensitive operational systems to risks must receive serious institutional scrutiny.

The workers’ groups also supported the proposed increase of NAMA’s share of the TSC revenue to 40 per cent, insisting it was an investment in aviation safety rather than competition among government agencies.
The unions further commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for his efforts in steering the affairs of the sector and urged continued focus on strengthening critical aviation institutions.