‎The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has said that all navigational aids (NAVAIDs) at the Federal Government airports across Nigeria are fully functional and compliant with international safety standards.

‎NAMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, said in a statement on Tuesday that the clarification became necessary following recent media reports which stated that Nigeria’s NAVAIDS are inadequate for harmattan operations. The agency said that such reports have the tendency to create panic and misrepresent the true state of things.

‎Musa said that all navigational equipment undergoes mandatory maintenance, flight checks, and calibration in strict accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices, as well as Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations. He said these safety procedures are ‘non-negotiable’ requirements conducted using NAMA’s flight inspection aircraft operated by trained personnel.

‎He also stated that the agency maintains critical systems including Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), and other communication, navigation, and surveillance equipment which undergoes ground and airborne verification to ensure accuracy.

‎He said NAMA publishes the status of navigational aids through Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) and is accessible to airlines, pilots, and stakeholders and that according to AIP Supplement S81/2025 dated October 9, 2025, all NAVAIDs nationwide remained within valid inspection periods, with only facilities at Maiduguri, Ilorin, Owerri, Zaria, Minna, and Calabar approaching calibration due dates at that time.

‎He said in December 2025, NAMA conducted a nationwide flight calibration exercise and has scheduled the next calibration for 2026 which will cover Katsina, Jos, Ilorin, Yola, and Owerri airports.

‎On the deployment of CAT III Instrument Landing Systems, he explained that the deployment of ILS categories is determined by “operational need, traffic volume, aircraft capability, and meteorological data.” He said that any international airport can operate safely with CAT I or CAT II systems where conditions don’t justify the cost associated with CAT III.

He said: “Historical data shows that the lowest average runway visibility during Harmattan in Nigeria is approximately 150 metres. NAMA has designed and validated instrument approach procedures aligned with ILS CAT II minima, which adequately support safe operations during the most challenging seasonal conditions typically experienced in the country.

“Harmattan-related delays, diversions, or cancellations primarily result from weather conditions, airline operational decisions, and aircraft capability—not from navigational aid deficiencies. Weather remains an external variable that cannot be eliminated but can only be managed through accurate forecasting and adherence to established safety minima.

“NAMA works closely with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to ensure continuous dissemination of accurate weather information while providing real-time air traffic management support throughout the Harmattan period.” (The Sun)

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