By Seun Ibiyemi
Aviation unions have raised concerns over the worsening financial position of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), warning that the agency’s ability to provide critical air navigation services is under threat as debt owed by airlines and government agencies continues to rise.
The unions disclosed that Arik Air owes NAMA ₦2.27 billion, making it one of the agency’s largest debtors, while total domestic receivables stood at over ₦34.69 billion as of April 30, 2026. They also revealed that NAMA is owed approximately $49.48 million in foreign receivables.
According to the unions, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is the largest domestic debtor with ₦23.94 billion, followed by Arik Air with ₦2.27 billion, NAPIMS (Osubi Airport) with ₦2.05 billion, Aero Contractors with ₦1.07 billion, Bauchi State Government with ₦902.87 million, Ogun State Government with ₦465.15 million, Taraba State Government (Jalingo Airport) with ₦309.35 million, Merry Aviation with ₦143.38 million, and ExxonMobil with ₦58.46 million.
The unions added that foreign airlines and operators account for more than $21.84 million of the agency’s outstanding foreign receivables.
The concerns were contained in a letter addressed to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and copied to NAMA’s Managing Director, Ahmed Farouk.
The letter was jointly signed by the leadership of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
The unions said the mounting debt burden has severely weakened NAMA’s liquidity, making it increasingly difficult for the agency to meet operational expenses and statutory obligations, including remittances to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Despite the financial constraints, they noted that NAMA remitted about ₦400 million to NiMet between April and June 2026, demonstrating its commitment to meeting its obligations.
They, however, accused the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of failing to remit NAMA’s statutory share of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) for the past four months, describing the revenue as one of the agency’s major funding sources.
According to the unions, the combined effect of unpaid debts and delayed statutory remittances has placed enormous pressure on the agency responsible for air traffic management, communication, navigation, surveillance and other essential air navigation services across Nigeria.
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“These outstanding debts have significantly weakened NAMA’s liquidity, making it increasingly difficult for the agency to meet its operational, statutory and inter-agency financial obligations promptly,” the letter stated.
The unions warned that workers could embark on an indefinite industrial action if the Federal Government fails to compel debtors to settle outstanding obligations and ensure the release of NAMA’s share of the Ticket Sales Charge.
They called on the government to direct all indebted organisations to clear verified debts, release outstanding statutory revenues due to NAMA, establish a sustainable debt recovery mechanism and convene a meeting of aviation stakeholders to address the lingering financial challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has suspended its planned nationwide protest following an emergency meeting with officials of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
In a circular issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Joint Action Committee (NJAC), the committee said the protest was shelved after the ministry assured workers that steps were being taken to resolve the long-standing revenue-sharing dispute affecting the agency.
According to the committee, stakeholders agreed to develop a permanent framework for clearing outstanding revenue backlogs and introduce a monthly revenue-sharing mechanism among aviation agencies.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary also directed NAMA to submit its statement of account to facilitate verification of claims relating to outstanding remittances to NiMet.
NJAC said it suspended the planned protest to allow the verification process to be completed and expressed optimism that the ongoing engagement would produce a lasting solution to the revenue impasse and improve workers’ welfare.
