Abuja Safe Tower Upgrade Nears Completion, Targets July Rollout

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The ongoing Abuja Safe Tower upgrade at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is nearing completion and is expected to go operational by July-end.

Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, revealed this during an on-the-spot inspection of project installations. The agency is upgrading vital meteorological systems to ensure safer and more efficient air navigation.

Professor Anosike expressed satisfaction with the quality of installations following a comprehensive tour of five critical equipment locations on the airport’s airside.

According to him, the Abuja Safe Tower upgrade has reached 90% completion, with final testing and integration expected before the end of July 2025.

The project includes the deployment of modern meteorological systems like ceilometers, transmissometers, thunderstorm detectors, automatic weather stations, and solar energy supply systems.

These upgrades aim to improve the precision and availability of weather data for pilots and air traffic controllers.

The project transitions the current MIDAS IV system, installed two decades ago, to the more advanced AVIMET system.

This transition, according to NiMet, ensures that meteorological data transmitted to the control tower remains accurate and real-time during all weather conditions.

The upgraded equipment will also enhance the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s (NAMA) capacity to support safe and seamless air traffic operations in Abuja.

NiMet emphasized that each system is being installed with solar backup to eliminate downtime caused by power outages.

Meanwhile, government authorities have reaffirmed support for critical aviation infrastructure projects, including the Abuja Safe Tower upgrade.

According to aviation sources, the Federal Government is prioritizing safety and reliability in Nigeria’s aviation sector through enhanced weather and air traffic systems.

This support aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 3 on Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation.

Furthermore, the ongoing upgrade reflects Nigeria’s commitment to improving aviation safety through modern technologies and international best practices.

Professor Anosike praised the contractor handling the installations, noting that the team represents the original equipment manufacturer and has demonstrated competence and dedication.

He said the entire project is in line with NiMet’s mandate to provide accurate, real-time weather information for the aviation sector and national development.

“The upgrade will guarantee safer flight operations and strengthen the accuracy of weather forecasts,” he said.

The Abuja Safe Tower upgrade is one of several nationwide efforts being coordinated by NiMet to modernize weather infrastructure across Nigeria’s airports.

As July approaches, stakeholders anticipate the full activation of the system, which is expected to boost operational safety at Abuja airport.

NiMet has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all installed systems meet both national standards and international certification.

Once completed, the Abuja Safe Tower will join Lagos and Port Harcourt airports in offering state-of-the-art meteorological support to aviation operations.