Dr. Ibrahim Audu, President of the Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN), has urged the Federal Government to reconsider the ongoing 50% deduction from the earnings of aviation regulatory bodies.
He raised this concern in honour of the 2025 World Aeronautical Information Service Day, warning that the current financial policy is severely obstructing necessary upgrades to aging systems vital for securing Nigeria’s airspace.
Commenting on the 2025 WAISD theme, “Safeguarding The Skies: The Vital Role Of Secured Aeronautical Information In Aviation Safety,” Dr. Audu underscored the critical importance of Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) in promoting safe, orderly, and efficient global air travel.
He cautioned that the continuous revenue deductions are delaying modernization initiatives in key agencies such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Dr. Audu also made a strong case for the swift execution of the long-stalled AIS Automation initiative.
He pointed out that Nigeria is lagging behind its regional peers in aviation technology, adding that the proposed system would feature advanced tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), an automated NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) platform, and digital weather reporting solutions.
These innovations, he explained, are expected to significantly improve real-time data sharing with pilots and contribute to safer and more reliable flight operations.
Touching on the drive for professionalism in the industry, the AIMAN president announced the formation of a licensing committee led by Mr. Patrick Afatapa.
The committee, according to him, has made notable progress toward securing formal licensing for AIS officers—an essential step toward boosting the sector’s credibility and operational standards.
With Nigeria set to host the first-ever International Federation of Aeronautical Information Management Associations (IFAIMA) conference in 2025, Dr. Audu revealed that this year’s WAISD would be celebrated in a decentralised format.
Events will take place at the grassroots level, aiming to rally nationwide support ahead of the landmark international gathering.
Since its establishment in 1953, World AIS Day—celebrated annually on May 15—has served to highlight the crucial role that Aeronautical Information Services play in ensuring global aviation safety and operational effectiveness.
