Mr. John Tayo, Director of Air traffic Services, NAMA
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has emphasised the need for collaboration among aviation agencies to achieve safety in the sector.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Safety Week 2025 in Lagos, Mr. John Tayo, Director of Air traffic Services, NAMA, said ‘safety is not merely a regulatory requirement for us, but the foundation of our existence in the aviation industry where every decision made, every piece of technology adopted, and every training conducted is driven by one overriding principle: to keep the skies safe.
“For us at NAMA, the safety of our airspace remains the main reason for our existence. However, we depend on the collaboration of FAAN and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to achieve a tolerable level of safety. This underscores the need for continued symbiosis in our operations.
“In addition to the above, we believe that safety thrives best in an atmosphere of open communication, continuous learning, and mutual respect. We have built a culture where differences of opinion are treated as opportunities to brainstorm, reach compromise and improve the system, rather than barriers to progress.”, he said.
He noted that the theme for this year’s Safety Week “Navigating Conflict for a Safer Aviation” is both timely and thought-provoking, adding that in an environment as dynamic and complex as Nigeria’s, conflicts whether operational, procedural, or human are inevitable ‘but it is how we manage and resolve them that defines our maturity as an industry. ‘
Tayo disclosed that over the years, NAMA has continued to invest in modern air navigation systems, capacity building, and human factor development, all aimed at enhancing air traffic management efficiency and safety.
He said NAMA is committed to:strengthening it’s Safety Management System (SMS) and Just Culture; enhance collaborative decision-making across stakeholders; and deepening training and mentorship for its air traffic professionals.
“We recognise that sustainable safety cannot be achieved through technology alone, it requires the right mindset, leadership, and teamwork. this initiative is very remarkable and highly cherished, it is a testament of our collaborative efforts at developing and nurturing the growth of aviation in Nigeria, Africa, and indeed the world at large.”, he added.
