The Federal Government has issued  a seven day ultimatum to helicopter operators into oil fields, terminals, platforms , rigs , floating production storage and offloading (FPSO), units helipads, airstrips and aerodromes to communicate their proposed payment plans and modalities for applicable air navigation levies to the firm : Naebi Concepts Limited authorised to collect the fees.

 In a public notice issued by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), on behalf of the Federal Government , the agency cautioned that failure to comply within the stipulated time frame will trigger appropriate enforcement measures, including denial of flight clearance for the affected operators.

 The proposed enforcement measure, the government said will be taken , not merely to enforce regulatory compliance, but to safeguard national security , enhance aviation safety , promote operational sustainability as well as ensure continued efficiency of Nigeria’s aviation eco- system in alignment with international obligations and globally accepted best practices.

    According to the public notice, NAMA said since 2022, , it has in partnership with Naebi Dynamic Concept Limited consistently issued multiple written communications to engage oil and gas operators on the statutory provisions of its Act.

    Regrettably, the agency said these proactive efforts have not yielded the desired compliance , due to the influence of certain individuals  who have worked with them against adherence to established regulatory requirements.

    Citing Sections 8 and 9 of the NAMA Act 2022, the agency said it is the only organisation exclusively empowered by law to provide and manage air navigation services and air traffic control for aircraft take- off and landing at all public and private aerodromes within the Nigerian airspace.

    “ A person other than the agency shall not provide air navigation services in respect of Nigerian airspace or any other airspace in which Nigeria has responsibility to provide such services.”

    The government said where operators persist in unauthorised usage of  Nigeria’s airspace, particularly through private helipads or platforms operating without requisite clearance from NAMA , and in breach of national security protocols, the agency shall seek the approval of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to shut down and relocate such facilities utilized in connection with unauthorized navigation operations within the country’s airspace.

    The notice reads : “ Sanctions will be applied to defaulting operators including denying or withholding flight clearances to any operator until outstanding charges have been paid by the operator or a security or guarantee has been given to the satisfaction of the agency for the payment of the charges or fees.”

    The government said the enforcement of helicopter levies aligns with global best practices and is currently implemented across International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), member states in Europe, Asia and the Americas .

    The notice reads : “ These levies are essential to sustaining the maintenance , upgrading, and acquisition of modern air navigation infrastructure , critical for the safe and efficient management of Nigeria’s airspace, particularly given the growing operations of drones, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.”

    The agency said : “ NAMA in line with its statutory mandate wishes to notify all stakeholders , especially oil and gas operators of the need for full compliance with the provision of the NAMA Act on the prompt payment of helicopter landing levies for air navigation services rendered by the agency within the Nigerian airspace and covers operations at oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, floating production storage and offloading units , helipads, airstrips and aerodromes.

    Meanwhile, A former Director , Air Transport Management in the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development , Hassan Tai Ejibunu has called on oil companies engaging in offshore operations and other players who rely heavily on helicopter transport for personnel and equipment to comply with the regulatory enforcement regime approved by the Federal government.

    Compliance in the payment of the prescribed helicopter landing levy by the affected organizations, Ejibunu said, has not only become compelling, but part of the targeted contribution toward the maintenance, modernization, and expansion of Nigeria’s air navigation infrastructure, which is now a backbone of both civilian and military aviation.

    Ejibunu’s comment is coming on the heels of the regulatory enforcement of Helicopter Landing Levy by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, which has sparked a huge debate among stakeholders in the oil and gas sector in recent weeks.

    Though critics have argued that the levy, which is to be paid on a pay-as-you-use- basis by oil companies operating offshore, constitutes an undue financial burden, Ejibunu, however, noted that such perspective overlooks the broader national interest and the critical role played by NAMA in safeguarding the country’s skies, as well as the high cost of such critical aviation infrastructure.

    He said : “ The levy, which is on a pay-as-you-use basis, is unavoidable and only charged for the use of Nigerian Airspace and NAMA Air navigational services. 

    “NAMA’s infrastructure supports not only commercial flights but also helicopter operations to offshore platforms, military surveillance, and increasingly, the regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in our airspace.

    “To suggest that oil companies, who are among the primary beneficiaries of these services, should be exempted from contributing to their sustainability is both inequitable and short-sighted.

    “Offshore oil operations rely heavily on helicopter transport for personnel and equipment. These flights depend on NAMA’s radar systems, communication networks, and air traffic control to ensure safety and efficiency.

    “Without adequate funding, these systems risk degradation, which could lead to delays, accidents, or worse—security breaches.

     “Indeed, the absence of modern navigational infrastructure is a national security risk. As NAMA has flagged, outdated equipment and poor inter-agency coordination already pose threats to aviation security.”

    Ejibunu said in an era of heightened drone activity and evolving aerial threats, the ability to monitor and manage Nigeria’s airspace in real time is no longer optional, but essential.

    He went on: “The military, too, relies on NAMA’s infrastructure for coordinated operations, making its upkeep a matter of sovereignty.

    “ Moreover, the levy aligns with global best practices. Similar charges exist in other oil-producing nations, where aviation infrastructure is funded through user-based contributions.

    “The oil companies operating in Nigeria, many of which are multinationals, are no strangers to such frameworks, but are being aided by some Nigerians to work against adherence to established regulatory requirements.”

    Ejibunu said rather than resist the levy, stakeholders should view it as an investment in safety, security, and operational continuity.

    He said :” The cost of a single aviation incident, whether in lives, environmental damage, or reputational loss to Nigeria’s rating in the global aviation community, would far outweigh the cumulative impact of this modest fee.

    “ The Helicopter Landing Levy is not a burden. It is a shared responsibility. And in a sector as vital and high-risk as aviation, shared responsibility is the only path to sustainable progress and enhanced national security.”