NAMA Explains Delay in Deploying Mobile Control Tower at Lagos Airport, Cites Strict Safety Protocols

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has provided clarity on the timeline for the installation of a Mobile Control Tower at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, stating that the process is governed by stringent engineering and aviation safety requirements rather than administrative lapses.

The clarification comes in response to a media report published on March 13, 2026, titled “Three Weeks After, NAMA Yet to Deploy Mobile Tower,” which raised questions about the delay in installing the temporary facility following a fire incident that affected the airport’s main Aerodrome Control Tower.

In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, the agency emphasised that aviation infrastructure deployment must adhere to carefully defined safety and engineering protocols to ensure operational integrity at one of Nigeria’s busiest airports.

According to NAMA, contingency measures were activated immediately after the fire incident to guarantee uninterrupted air navigation services. Aerodrome Control operations were temporarily relocated to the airport’s Fire Service Tower while plans were set in motion to deploy a Mobile Control Tower to serve as an interim facility during the rehabilitation of the main tower.

The agency stressed that air traffic control services have remained fully functional throughout the period, ensuring the safe coordination of aircraft movements within the airport’s airspace.

Contrary to suggestions of delay, NAMA explained that the installation of a Mobile Control Tower involves a complex technical process requiring careful site selection, preparation, and structural reinforcement. The initial step involved identifying a location within the airfield that would provide controllers with unobstructed visibility of the runway, taxiways, and apron areas, a critical requirement under the aerodrome design guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Following site selection, excavation was carried out and a reinforced concrete base was constructed to support the mobile tower structure. The agency noted that aviation facilities must meet rigorous structural stability standards, as any inadequacy could compromise sensitive air traffic management equipment.

Engineering specifications require newly cast concrete foundations to undergo a curing period of at least 21 days before heavy installations can be mounted. This process allows the concrete to attain the necessary compressive strength and structural integrity to bear the weight of the tower and its equipment.

NAMA disclosed that the project contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), advised against premature installation, warning that doing so could weaken the structure and lead to cracks or long-term instability, thereby compromising safety. The agency stated that it heeded this professional advice in line with global engineering best practices and the aviation industry’s uncompromising commitment to safety.

Industry experts note that air navigation infrastructure must comply with ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices. Under Annex 11, which governs Air Traffic Services, facilities must be designed and maintained to guarantee reliability, structural stability, and operational safety. Additionally, ICAO aerodrome design guidelines underscore the importance of proper siting and visibility to enable controllers to effectively monitor ground and airspace movements.

NAMA reassured stakeholders that the Mobile Control Tower would be installed upon completion of the mandatory curing period, reaffirming its dedication to maintaining safety and operational continuity at Nigeria’s premier international airport.