Engr. Farouk Umar Ahmed is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). A visionary leader and seasoned aviation professional, he brings over twenty-five years of deep industry experience that spans Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. His career reflects a rare blend of technical mastery, strategic leadership, and an unrelenting drive to modernize Nigeria’s airspace management system.

Born on January 18, 1964, in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Engr. Ahmed began his educational journey at Government Science Secondary School, Birnin-Kebbi. He holds a National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Sokoto State Polytechnic (1985 and 1988) and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna. His academic pursuit continued with a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Lagos State University in 1999, followed by another Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2009.

He joined NAMA in 2002 as a Chief Engineer and rose steadily through the ranks, serving as Airspace Manager, Minna Airport; General Manager, Procurement; and General Manager, Special Projects, Kano Region. In 2016, he was appointed Executive Director, Safety Electronics and Engineering by former President Muhammadu Buhari. His technical competence and leadership acumen led to his eventual appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive of NAMA.

Throughout his career, Engr. Ahmed has been at the forefront of several transformational projects in Nigeria’s aviation sector. He played a central role in the deployment of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Kaduna International Airport, the Doppler Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (DVOR) at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, and the installation of High-Powered Jotron Radios at the Lagos and Kano Area Control Centres. These initiatives have significantly enhanced airspace safety and communication efficiency across the country.

As Managing Director, Engr. Ahmed has repositioned NAMA through reforms focused on operational efficiency, staff training, and professional certification. Under his leadership, the Agency has tackled long-standing challenges such as inadequate engineering training, staff placement gaps, and the non-implementation of standardized operating manuals. His focus on human capacity development and technological innovation has improved staff morale and strengthened NAMA’s status as one of Africa’s leading Air Navigation Service Providers.

He is a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Chartered Institute of Administration (MCIA), and the Chartered Institute of Supply, Purchase and Management. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE).

In 2019, Engr. Ahmed received the prestigious National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award from President Muhammadu Buhari, recognizing his outstanding contribution to the improvement of Nigeria’s communication, navigation, and surveillance systems.

Engr. Ahmed is widely respected for his professionalism, foresight, and commitment to excellence. His leadership continues to inspire a new generation of aviation professionals, while positioning NAMA as a model of safety, innovation, and efficiency in the global air navigation community.