The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is grappling with over ₦67 billion in unpaid charges owed by foreign airlines and other organisations, a development that is worsening the agency’s financial challenges and raising concerns over industrial harmony in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
According to NAMA’s Credit Control Records, the agency was owed ₦34.69 billion in domestic receivables and approximately $49.48 million in foreign receivables as of April 30, 2026. Combined, the outstanding debt exceeds ₦67 billion at prevailing exchange rates.
Although international airlines remain among NAMA’s biggest revenue contributors, the agency disclosed that domestic airline operators are its most difficult debtors, with many failing to meet their financial obligations. Overall, cumulative debts owed by domestic and foreign airlines, alongside other organisations, are estimated to exceed ₦90 billion.
The debt burden has become a major issue in the ongoing dispute between NAMA and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), whose workers have threatened industrial action over the alleged non-remittance of statutory revenues.
In response, aviation unions defended NAMA, arguing that the agency cannot remit funds it has not received. They revealed that despite severe financial constraints, NAMA paid approximately ₦400 million to NiMet between April and June 2026, demonstrating its commitment to meeting statutory obligations.
The unions attributed NAMA’s financial difficulties to unpaid debts owed by airlines, government agencies, state governments, corporate organisations, and other debtors, warning that continued non-payment could disrupt critical aviation services and trigger further labour unrest.
Confirming the development, NAMA’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Musa, said the agency’s primary concern remains domestic airline operators. He noted that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), alongside NAMA’s Commercial and Legal Departments, is actively pursuing debt recovery.
Musa added that while many international airlines meet their obligations through the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a significant portion of the outstanding foreign debt is owed by African carriers, which, according to him, “behave like domestic airlines.”
The Federal Government is yet to officially comment on the matter, while efforts to obtain reactions from the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) were unsuccessful at the time of filing the report.
