NAMA Provides Clarification on Mobile Control Tower Installation Timeline at Lagos Airport, Citing Adherence to ICAO Safety Standards
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has issued a detailed explanation regarding the timeline for the installation of a Mobile Control Tower at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following recent media reports questioning the delay.
In a statement released on Sunday, the agency clarified that the installation process is contingent upon strict engineering protocols and international aviation safety standards, rather than administrative inefficiency.
The clarification was prompted by a March 13, 2026, publication titled “Three Weeks After, NAMA Yet to Deploy Mobile Tower,” which raised concerns about the deployment timeline following a fire incident that disrupted operations at the airport’s main Aerodrome Control Tower.
NAMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Musa, emphasised that the deployment of critical air navigation infrastructure cannot be expedited at the expense of safety. He noted that contingency measures were activated immediately after the incident, with air traffic control operations temporarily relocated to the airport’s Fire Service Tower to ensure uninterrupted service.
“The installation of a Mobile Control Tower is not a routine or instantaneous exercise. It involves a series of technical processes, including site selection, excavation, and the construction of a reinforced concrete base capable of supporting the structure and its sensitive equipment,” Musa explained.
He added that the chosen site must provide air traffic controllers with unobstructed visibility of the runway, taxiways, and apron areas, in line with aerodrome design specifications outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Following site preparation, a concrete foundation was laid, which requires a minimum curing period of 21 days to achieve the necessary compressive strength and structural stability. The agency noted that the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), advised against mounting the tower before the curing process is complete, warning that premature installation could compromise the facility’s integrity and pose safety risks.
“NAMA has adhered strictly to this professional recommendation, prioritising long-term safety over short-term timelines,” Musa said.
The agency further stressed that all actions taken are consistent with ICAO’s Annex 11, which governs Air Traffic Services, and other global best practices requiring that air navigation facilities be structurally sound, reliably sited, and operationally effective.
NAMA reassured stakeholders that air traffic services at the airport have remained fully functional throughout the period and reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards at Nigeria’s busiest aviation gateway.
The Mobile Control Tower is expected to become operational upon the completion of the concrete curing process, serving as a temporary facility while repairs are carried out on the main Aerodrome Control Tower.