LAGOS — The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has issued a firm ultimatum to oil and gas operators nationwide, demanding immediate compliance with statutory payments for helicopter landing levies tied to air navigation services rendered within Nigerian airspace.
The directive, issued on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, comes amid mounting concerns over non-payment and under-remittance of levies by several companies operating in Nigeria’s offshore and remote inland oil installations, particularly in the Niger Delta region. NAMA warned that failure to comply could result in operational restrictions or penalties in accordance with extant aviation regulations.
According to NAMA, the helicopter landing levy is a mandatory fee for navigational and communication services provided by the agency to ensure safe airspace management. The agency noted that many operators had persistently defaulted, thereby jeopardizing the financial sustainability of critical aviation safety infrastructure.
In an official statement, the agency said:
“It has become imperative to reiterate that all helicopter operations within Nigerian airspace are subject to regulatory oversight and are obligated to pay applicable levies. Any deliberate evasion or delay undermines the system and will no longer be tolerated.”
The agency added that the funds generated through such levies are vital for maintaining radar systems, communication towers, weather forecasting equipment, and other enablers of aviation safety—especially in challenging operational environments such as the oil and gas sector.
Industry insiders suggest that part of the resistance from oil companies stems from historical disagreements over the legal framework and billing processes for the levies. However, NAMA insists that the charges are grounded in civil aviation law and have been clearly communicated to operators over the years.
The agency also revealed that it had engaged relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to harmonize enforcement efforts and establish a transparent payment monitoring system.
Reacting to the ultimatum, some oil and gas firms called for renewed dialogue to clarify outstanding issues, even as they acknowledged the need for enhanced aviation safety compliance.
Aviation experts have welcomed NAMA’s stance, noting that consistent levy payments are essential to sustaining a safe and efficient low-level flight corridor, especially in areas heavily trafficked by helicopters servicing oil rigs and logistics bases.
As of press time, NAMA had not disclosed the total sum owed by defaulting companies, but sources within the agency suggest it runs into several billions of naira.
The deadline for compliance has not been publicly announced, but enforcement actions are expected to commence in phases if defaulters fail to respond.
