NATCA/NAAE Collaborative Retreat 2025 Kicks Off In Portharcourt, Driving Innovation and Unity for Safer Nigerian Airspace

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – April 14, 2025 – The Nigerian aviation industry reached a significant milestone today as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and the National Association of Airspace Engineers (NAAE) officially commenced their Collaborative Retreat 2025 at the elegant Golden Tulip Garden City Hotel, Port Harcourt. Themed “Enhancing Airspace Safety and Efficiency Through Innovation and Collaboration,” the retreat brings together air navigation professionals, policy drivers, and key stakeholders from April 14 to 16, 2025.

The opening ceremony began with a structured introduction of dignitaries, reflecting the depth of institutional representation and the national importance of the retreat. Attendees included high-ranking officials from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), as well as directors from core operational and support units across the aviation sector.

Welcome speeches delivered by the Presidents of NATCA and NAAE set the tone for the three-day engagement. Both leaders highlighted the necessity of sustained cross-functional collaboration, not just as a best practice but as a fundamental requirement for achieving the goals of a modern and resilient airspace system in Nigeria.

Representing the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, was the Director of Legal Services/Company Secretary, Mrs. Isemiuhonmon Rita Egbadon, who delivered the keynote address. Her presentation, titled “Strategic Unity: The Importance of Independence, Cooperation, and Unity Between Air Traffic Services and Engineering in Achieving NAMA’s Strategic Objectives, Goals, and Mandate,” emphasized the imperative of aligning operational efficiency with strategic policy execution. She noted that true innovation arises when engineering brilliance and air traffic precision operate in seamless synergy.

The event was further enriched by goodwill messages from the Director of Air Traffic Services (DATS), the Director of Safety Engineering and Electronics Systems (DSEES), the Director of Human Resources, and the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection. These messages reinforced a shared vision of institutional unity and excellence, each reaffirming their departments’ commitment to an integrated approach to airspace management.

As the retreat progresses, sessions will focus on operational challenges, technical innovations, system resilience, and capacity-building strategies aimed at optimizing NAMA’s service delivery and ensuring Nigeria remains compliant with global aviation standards set by ICAO.

This retreat represents more than just a professional gathering—it is a statement of intent. It demonstrates NAMA’s resolve to strengthen internal collaboration, empower its workforce, and chart a forward-thinking path for air navigation in Nigeria and beyond.