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Directorates of Operations
Directorate of Operations
The Directorate of Operations is headed by the Director of Operations (DOO). Currently the seat is
occupied by Alhaji Haske Ibrahim Jibrin, an accomplished Procedure Designer and a rated Air Traffic
Controller.
As the core directorate in the Agency, the Directorate of Operations holds the mandate for the
execution of the majority of the statutory responsibilities of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency
(NAMA) when established. Accordingly, the Directorate is in charge of the provision of:
1.) Air Traffic Control Services comprising Area Control Service, Approach Control Service and
Aerodrome Control Service. This is aside Flight Information Service and Alerting Service.
2.) Aeronautical Information Management
3.) Aeronautical Maps and Charts Service.
4.) Aeronautical Survey
5.) Aeronautical Communication Service
6.) Aeronautical Search and Rescue Service
7.) Partners National Security Agencies to process and grant overflight and landing permits to
qualified aircraft operators.
7.) Partners National Security Agencies to process and grant overflight and landing permits to
qualified aircraft operators.
Arguably, about ninety percent of the core statutory responsibilities of the Agency are undertaken at the
Directorate of Operations.
This very technical as well as operational directorate carries out its functions under ten (10) well-
structured departments namely:
1. ATC Operations
2. ATC Standards
3. Technical Evaluation and Manpower Development
4. Airspace Planning
5. Search and Rescue and Mission Coordination
6. Aeronautical Information Management
7. Aeronautical Maps and Charts
8. Aeronautical Communication
9. Aircraft Clearance Office
10. Air Navigation Planning
Statutorily, each Department is headed by a General Manager, except the Air Navigation Planning Unit
that is headed by a Deputy General Manager. This may be partially because the department is the
newest addition to the directorate structure, therefore, it is still evolving. It may one day achieve the full
status of a department headed by a General Manager.
ATC OPERATIONS
Provision of aerodrome control service, approach control service and area control service including
associated surveillance services to each is coordinated by this department. Manpower management and
efficient utilization is also a key function of the department to ensure smooth and safe air navigation
services delivery at all airports in Nigeria.
ATC STANDARDS
The core function of the department is to ensure ATC service delivery in accordance with the Nigerian
Civil Aviation Authority guidelines as exemplified in the Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig. CAR Part 14). This
is the regulatory department in the Directorate. Nothing in terms of quality service delivery to assure
continuity of civil air navigation escapes the scrutiny of the department.
TECHNICAL EVALUATION AND MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT
Human capacity development of personnel providing safety-critical services are coordinated through
this department. This department concerns itself with identifying training gaps in manpower
competence and arrange to close the gaps through trainings in recognized aviation academies anywhere
it finds suitable globally. The department implements the Directorate’s programmes and plans on
training as approved and reviewed periodically.
AIRSPACE PLANNING
The implementation of all initiatives aimed at enhancing navigation at the departure, enroute and final
phases of flight in a safe and cost-effective manner is the core mandate of this department.
Consequently, creation of airways and routes, approach and let-down procedure for all landing aids for
all runway ends, including Performance Based Navigation procedures have been produced by the
department. Implementation of RNAV and RNP as well as Continuous Climb Operations and Continuous
Descent Operations (CCO/CDO) is a task the department has undertaken diligently well. The department
has also championed the implementation of the Flight Plannable Direct Route initiative leading to the
December 2021 implementation of the Free Route Airspace.
AERONAUTICAL SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION COORDINATION
A key objective of air traffic control is the notification of appropriate organization regarding aircraft in
need of search and rescue aids and assisting such organization as required. This department is in fact,
the major unit to which ATC notifies such need for assistance. It also coordinates all required assistance
as would be rendered by rescue organization and personnel. The department also collaborates with the
Joint Rescue Coordination Committee (JRCC) to ensure effective maritime as well as aeronautical search
rescue services.
AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Management of safety-critical information for effective conduct of flights in the Nigerian airspace is the
major task of this department. All of the information are structured into packaged products that are
regularly reviewed and updated in accordance with globally adopted procedures. Accordingly,
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and supplements, Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC),
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) are some of the products referred to. The department also accept flight
plans from airlines for processing to adjacent Flight Information Regions (FIRs).
AERONAUTICAL MAPS AND CHARTS
Under this department is the Survey Unit that carries out specialized survey of obstacles and areas to
depict on maps and charts. There is a close synergy between this department and the Airspace Planning
department for obvious reasons. All the works of the Airspace Planning department is a product of
complex forward and backward linkage with the Aeronautical Maps and Charts Department. Indeed, the
final product of the work of the former is presented through diligent and dexterous efficiency of the
latter in standardized charts for use by pilots, air traffic controller and planners.
The Aeronautical Maps and Charts services Department is a well-equipped unit with a lot of capability in
map and chart production as well as capability to take on complex survey tasks. The department may
soon go commercial, rendering its services within the Region for a fee.
AERONAUTICAL COMMUNICATION
The major task of this unit is to transmit aeronautical messages of varying priorities from an originating
station to a receiving station in a manner that promotes aviation safety. The department has been using
the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) as the main medium of completing its task.
A new, more modern platform, Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) recently implemented
would soon be commissioned for their use.
AIRCRAFT CLEARANCE OFFICE
All granted overflight and landing permits to qualified operators are cleared and coordinated through
this department. Also, all request for such permit is cleared through the department for seamless and
efficient coordination with other relevant government departments concerned with aircraft overflight
and landing clearance.
AIR NAVIGATION PLANNING
This is the unit saddled with the responsibility of streamlining global, regional as well as national
initiatives bordering on enhancement of capacity and efficiency, for Agency implementation. Collection
and storage of air traffic data is the major tool the unit employs for the much-needed planning for
efficient air navigation services delivery by the Directorate. On this, the unit collaborates across other
directorates in the Agency to identify operational gaps and do due diligence in synergizing with relevant
units in closing them.,
