The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has successfully deployed a Mobile Control Tower at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, following a recent fire incident that affected critical air-ground communication infrastructure at the old terminal.
During an on-site inspection, the Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, Terese Ihenacho, described the deployment as a significant operational milestone, underscoring NAMA’s resilience and commitment to maintaining safe and efficient air navigation services at Nigeria’s busiest aviation hub. She commended the technical expertise and dedication of NAMA personnel, noting that the Mobile Control Tower is fully operational, with all necessary test runs completed and air traffic controllers ready to commence operations.
Ihenacho further explained that the Mobile Control Tower has been reconfigured to meet Nigeria’s specific operational requirements, incorporating local innovations to enhance both efficiency and safety. These include the integration of a smart strip system alongside traditional manual strips, as well as improved connectivity to Centrex and TRACON systems, reflecting a forward-looking approach to modern air traffic management.
As part of a broader redundancy and safety strategy, NAMA has also finalised plans to deploy a second Mobile Control Tower to support Runway 18R. The siting of this additional unit will be determined in consultation with key aviation stakeholders, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), to ensure optimal positioning from a safety and operational perspective.
The deployment forms part of NAMA’s contingency planning framework, designed to mitigate operational disruptions arising from infrastructure upgrades or unforeseen incidents affecting the main control tower.
In addition to the technical installation, supporting infrastructure has been implemented at the site, including solar-powered lighting, reinforced structural elements to withstand environmental conditions, supplementary power systems, and comprehensive CCTV security coverage.
