Farouk Umar: Deepening safety through innovative leadership at NAMA

It is a rare quality to possess a personality that captivates the attention and goodwill of staff members who work under any Chief Executive in organisations, whether public or private.

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk, by all standards, seems to enjoy such privilege, having been widely accepted and commended by all departments in the agency since he assumed office on December 13, 2023.

For Farouk Umar, the allure of his name and his professional demeanour distinguish him as a unique aviator with a wealth of technical knowledge and experience.

He has been in the system, knows the system and is now recalibrating the system rapidly.

In an era when communication in Nigerian Airspace was almost being interrogated, Farouk came in boldly and in the past 18 months, the NAMA boss has continuously focused on improving communication in Nigerian airspace, enhancing safety standards, and addressing power challenges within the agency. These bold steps have contributed in no little measure to modernise the country’s airspace communication architecture under the current leadership.

Welfare

It would be recalled that a few months after resumption, the Chief Executive paid serious attention to the NAMA workers’ condition of service with special focus on their wages and salaries, a feat which the members of staff considered as unprecedented and highly commendable. As it is, NAMA members of staff members are happier with the new welfare package regime under Farouk’s watch.

Since his first few months in office, staff welfare has always been a key priority for the MD. As an insider, he quickly recognised that long-standing issues like unpaid housing arrears, relocation allowances, and stagnated promotions were affecting morale and productivity. Despite huge debts owed by some airlines, Farouk took deliberate and drastic steps to improve things in NAMA.

Beyond economic gains, Farouk has instituted an effective leadership framework, where concerns can be raised without fear, ultimately ensuring that safety is a core value and not just a compliance effort.

Through careful planning, better financial discipline, and a clear understanding of the system, the NAMA boss has been able to provide most of the needs, as it concerns staff welfare and wellbeing.

Training

Right from the onset and as a professional with a technical background, the NAMA MD had declared that training and training was going to be a priority in the agency for both senior and junior staff. Since then, Farouk has walked his talk. Just in May this year, the agency flagged off a two-week on-the-job training (OJT) for Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEPS) of the Department of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Power Systems.

The training, which was held simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Kano stations of the agency, cuts across all facilities managed by the department.

As part of its objectives, the OJT is designed to expose participants to practical experiences in welding, installation of air-conditioning compressors, topping up refrigerants into air conditioning and cooling systems, as well as installation and maintenance of solar power systems. It also involves carrying out preventive and corrective maintenance of UPS, AVRs, inverters and overhauling of generating sets.

Speaking while declaring the training, Farouk noted that the OJT was necessitated by management’s commitment towards increasing the capacity of the agency’s technical and operational staff.

According to him, “this would ensure that our communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure across the country continues to perform seamlessly, efficiently and optimally in line with the International Civil Aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO SARPs).”

He also expressed optimism that the knowledge gained by participants would ensure that there is an uninterrupted power supply to all the agency’s installations in Nigeria as a critical component of the safety of air travel.

Safety

Under Farouk’s watch, safety has been the bedrock of his admiration and core principle as he has put measures in place to continuously improve communication in Nigerian airspace, which ultimately enhances safety standards. The agency has also provided forums for inter-agency collaboration to ensure safety at all times. A good case in point is when the agency in July 2025 activated a Search and Rescue Simulation (SARS) exercise, a crucial component of Nigeria’s aviation safety protocol, designed to test operational preparedness and enhance response times in the event of real-life aviation emergencies. A review of the exercise, which was conducted at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, was adjudged as a resounding success and a clear indication that NAMA is committed to ensuring a coordinated and effective response to any airspace-related emergencies.

Earlier in June this year and to reinforce its effectiveness of emergency plans, communication protocols, and coordination between different agencies and departments, NAMA also conducted an Aircraft Emergency Table Top Exercise to enlighten aviation stakeholders on how to manage aircraft emergencies and disasters.

This very successful mock exercise geared towards enlightening aviation stakeholders took place at the MMIA, Lagos bringing together key stakeholders in emergency management and Search and Rescue Units drawn from all the aviation agencies, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Department of State Security (DSS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Other agencies that attended that eventful exercise were the Federal Fire Service (FFS), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA), Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASANBUS), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), etc.

Beyond coordination of sister agencies in terms of emergencies, Farouk, in many other ways, has demonstrated his total commitment to safety and efficiency. He has many times, without number, emphasised the importance of adhering to international best practices and standards, ensuring that NAMA’s operations are guided by a strong safety culture

Last Line

Indeed, it is obvious that good leadership is not a 100 metres dash race but a well-coordinated, conscious and deliberate effort of a committed leader. This is exactly what Farouk is doing in NAMA. With what is presently on the round, it is self-evident that, ab initio, Farouk was focused directly on stabilising the system, earning the trust of staff and stakeholders, which has ultimately yielded positive results.