NAMA begins crucial flight checks at Gateway International Airport in Ogun State

By Seun Ibiyemi

Officials from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have initiated important flight checks at the Gateway International Airport in Ogun State, marking a significant milestone towards the commencement of commercial flight services.

The checks, carried out throughout the week, represent the beginning of the validation process for the airport’s aviation procedures.

During the exercise, the Manager of Flight Calibration Services at NAMA, Engr. Miri Selzing, explained that the purpose of the visit was to assess the airport’s systems and ensure they align with the proposed operational procedures.

“Our goal here is to examine the proposed procedures that have been outlined for the airport,” said Selzing. “This is a critical process, and it is not something that can be completed in a short time.”

While the procedures have already been reviewed and tested in-flight, further analysis will take place at NAMA’s base to identify any necessary adjustments.

Selzing expressed optimism regarding the airport’s future, commending its physical infrastructure. “The runway, which is about four kilometres long—the longest in the country—is truly impressive. The airport also boasts a solid terminal building; everything is in place, so significant progress is being made here,” he remarked.

He also underscored the importance of installing essential navigational aids, such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS), to improve flight operations, and noted the airport’s capacity to manage aircraft diversions from Lagos, Ibadan, and Ilorin.

Selzing praised the Ogun State Government for its work on the project and reaffirmed NAMA’s commitment to supporting the airport’s ongoing development.

In a separate statement, the Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, revealed that the flight checks included assessments of both runways, identified as “23 and 05,” as well as the recognition of critical waypoints.

“This is one of the final steps we need to take before obtaining commercial approval,” Akinsanya explained.

He added that Gateway International Airport is 97 percent complete, with key infrastructure such as the control tower, air traffic controllers, and fire and rescue teams already in place.

The continued collaboration between NAMA and the Ogun State Government marks a significant leap in the state’s ambitions to establish itself as a key player in Nigeria’s aviation sector.