…Says Airports facilities lack access to modern technologies
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has raised concerns over the security of numerous airports and airspace facilities across the country, citing outdated technology and poor coordination among agencies as major vulnerabilities.
At an aviation security stakeholders symposium hosted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), with the theme “Fundamentality of Aviation Security in Achieving Safe Skies,” NAMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Farouk Umar Ahmed, expressed significant worry about the state of aviation security in Nigeria.
Represented by the Director of Legal Services, Rita Egbadon, Ahmed pointed out that many airports still rely on obsolete screening systems, inadequate perimeter fencing, and a lack of sufficient surveillance infrastructure, all of which expose critical installations to potential threats.
He noted that the integration of physical and cyber-security systems is far from optimal, limiting authorities’ ability to detect, deter, and respond to breaches effectively and in real time.
Additionally, Ahmed stressed that the lack of cooperation among security agencies, despite their shared responsibility for protecting aviation infrastructure, further exacerbates the issue.
He noted, “The absence of structured inter-agency communication, overlapping mandates, and fragmented incident response mechanisms continues to weaken security operations at airports.”
He also drew attention to problems within the security workforce, such as inadequate training, low morale stemming from poor compensation, and limited career development opportunities.
Ahmed warned that many frontline officers are not up to date with evolving international security standards, while poorly vetted appointments to sensitive roles pose significant risks to overall safety.
To address these issues, Ahmed proposed the creation of a Joint Aviation Security Task Force, alongside a National Aviation Security Coordination Framework led by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and overseen by the NCAA.
The task force, he suggested, should meet regularly to exchange intelligence, develop action plans, and conduct security simulations.
Ahmed called on federal and state governments, in partnership with the private sector, to invest in modern security infrastructure, including biometric access systems, smart surveillance tools, and integrated command centres.
For long-term improvements, he recommended the establishment of sustainable funding mechanisms and comprehensive training programmes for security personnel, with a focus on recurrent training, cybersecurity, behavioural detection, and emergency response.
“Only with a coordinated, well-equipped, and motivated workforce can we ensure the security and integrity of Nigeria’s airspace,” he concluded.