The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has clarified the reasons behind the delay in deploying a Mobile Control Tower at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, following the recent fire incident that affected the airport’s main aerodrome control tower.
The agency explained that the delay is not due to inaction, but is necessary to fully comply with aviation engineering and safety standards for installing sensitive air navigation infrastructure.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr Abdullahi Musa, made this known in a statement shared with The PUNCH on Sunday, responding to media reports questioning why the mobile tower had yet to be deployed.
“The attention of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has been drawn to a newspaper report titled ‘Three Weeks After, NAMA Yet to Deploy Mobile Tower’ dated 13th March, 2026. While the publication may have been motivated by public concern, it unfortunately overlooks critical technical and safety considerations that govern aviation infrastructure deployment,” Musa said.
He noted that immediately after the fire at the aerodrome control tower, NAMA activated contingency measures to ensure air navigation services continued without interruption. As part of the emergency response, the agency began preparing to deploy a Mobile Control Tower to serve temporarily while restoration work continues on the main tower.
“Following the recent fire incident at the aerodrome control tower of MMIA, Lagos, NAMA immediately activated contingency measures to ensure uninterrupted air navigation services.
“However, the installation of aviation control infrastructure cannot be undertaken in a hurried or improvised manner. Such facilities must comply with strict engineering and operational standards designed to safeguard aircraft operations,” Musa explained.
The agency further clarified that the selected site for the temporary tower must provide clear visual coverage of the runway, taxiways, and other critical areas, enabling controllers to manage aircraft movements effectively. Structural preparation at the site required excavation and concrete casting to create a stable foundation capable of supporting the tower and its equipment.
“First, the location chosen for the Mobile Control Tower must provide optimal visual coverage of the runway, taxiways, and other critical portions of the airfield. This requirement is essential for air traffic controllers to maintain effective situational awareness,” Musa said.
“Secondly, the identified location required excavation and structural casting to create a firm and stable foundation capable of supporting the tower infrastructure. Aviation installations demand structural stability to avoid operational or safety risks.
“Engineering standards further require that the casting be allowed to cure for a minimum of twenty-one days before any heavy structure is mounted on it. This curing period is a critical technical process intended to prevent cracks, instability, or structural failure,” he added.
NAMA also disclosed that its contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company, advised against premature installation, warning that it could damage the structure.
“Indeed, when NAMA initially prepared to deploy the mobile tower, the project contractors advised that the installation should not proceed until the foundation had fully settled, warning that premature deployment could damage the structure,” the statement noted.
While the foundation cures, NAMA assured that air traffic services at MMIA have continued without disruption through interim arrangements.
“It is also important to state that air traffic control services at MMIA have remained uninterrupted. As an interim arrangement, the Fire Service Tower has been effectively utilised for aerodrome control operations pending the installation of the Mobile Tower. Contrary to the impression created in the publication, the Mobile Control Tower is ready for deployment and is expected to be positioned within days upon completion of the mandatory curing period,” Musa said.
He stressed that all NAMA decisions are guided by international best practices and a commitment to aviation safety. “NAMA remains firmly committed to the highest standards of aviation safety, professionalism, and operational excellence. In aviation, safety is sacrosanct, and every decision taken by the agency is guided by global best practices,” Musa promised.
