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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue VI, June 2026
Founded by the NAMA Act Cap N26 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, Act and recently updated by the
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (Establishment) Act 20 of 2022, NAMA ensures domestic and
international safe transit within Nigerian airspace systems (NAMA, 2023). Recently NAMA completed
deployment of Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria, more commonly referred to as TRACON, which greatly
increased airspace surveillance capability. However, the long-term successes of TRACON rely heavily on
effective managerial systems put into place (Adebayo et al., 2022). Preventative maintenance regimens, human
capacity developments programs, and financial feasibility initiatives are all examples of effective management
techniques that can ensure continued operational efficiency and standard regulatory compliance (Olabisi et al.,
2021; Armstrong & Baron, 2004; Greenfield & Lee, 20). However, air traffic control faced by continuous
increases in maintenance due to aging radars and spare parts, insufficient funding, high operating costs, and
unreliable aviation system continue to inhibit NAMA's effectiveness (NAMA, 2023). These underlying issues
limit Nigerias potential to become the West African hub for aviation as hoped. Thus this study will aim to
empirically assess NAMA’s current management operations to reveal present gaps and provide data-supported
recommendations to build back better for long-term institutional resilience.
Problem Statement
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has invested massively on infrastructure to support state of
the art Air Traffic Management Infrastructure which include Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast
(ADS-B) surveillance system. Surface Movement Radar, Centralized Air Traffic Management Centre to mention
a few. However majorly management and funding issues have been identified as problems that could affect
sustainability of those interventions and expansion on what exists. These problems include; outdated Total Radar
Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system. Poor fund allocation for maintenance of existing systems. Stagnant
projection of internally generated revenue of the agency. Statutory deductions from its internally generated
revenue. Increasing operating cost and shortfall of needed technical manpower. These have made NAMA’s
ability to manage its infrastructure weak thereby making the management approach more reactive than being
proactive. There is high risk of equipment downtime and subsequent staff fatigue which could lead to poor
performance. Nigeria might also fail to meet ICAO Standards. Therefore this study aims to appraise current
management approach towards achieving sustainable Air Traffic Management operations and administration in
Nigeria and propound ways of improving on sustainability.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Oladipo and Nwankwo (2021) conducted an empirical study on aviation infrastructure performance in Nigeria
using structured surveys administered to aviation engineers and air traffic controllers across selected airports.
Their research focused on evaluating the effectiveness of existing surveillance and navigation systems in
ensuring safe and efficient airspace operations. The findings revealed that the deployment of modern radar
surveillance systems significantly enhanced airspace monitoring by improving aircraft detection, tracking
accuracy, and real-time information sharing among controllers. Additionally, the study observed a noticeable
reduction in the risk of aircraft conflicts, particularly in congested airspace, due to improved situational
awareness and timely decision-making. The authors concluded that continuous investment in advanced radar
technologies is critical for strengthening aviation infrastructure performance and ensuring a high level of
operational safety in Nigeria.
Kerzner (2019) examined the role of engineering management in complex technological systems, with particular
emphasis on how managerial practices influence system performance and reliability. The study adopted a
conceptual and analytical approach, drawing insights from engineering projects and large-scale technological
operations. Kerzner identified key components of effective engineering management, including strategic project
planning, efficient maintenance scheduling, and optimal resource allocation. The findings indicated that when
these elements are properly integrated, they significantly improve system reliability, reduce operational failures,
and enhance overall performance. The study further stressed that proactive management practices, such as
predictive maintenance and risk assessment, are crucial in minimizing downtime and ensuring the continuous
functionality of critical systems. Consequently, Kerzner concluded that strong engineering management
frameworks are indispensable for sustaining reliability and efficiency in complex technological environments