Using Sports to Boost Workers’ Morale in the Aviation Sector, The NCAA, NAMA Example
DGCA Captain Chris Najomo bearing the NCAA game torch to declare the games open
The aviation sector is often described as one of the most demanding industries in the world. Safety, precision, and efficiency are non-negotiable, and employees—from air traffic controllers to regulatory staff—work under immense pressure to keep the system running seamlessly. They must deliver precision every single day. In such a high-stakes environment, the well-being and morale of workers are critical. One increasingly recognised way to achieve this balance is through sports.
Sports and Workplace Psychology
Workplace psychologists often emphasise that sports offer a unique blend of physical, mental, and social benefits. Dr. John Adisa, a Lagos-based occupational health expert, notes that “sporting activities reduce cortisol levels, which are linked to stress, while boosting endorphins that improve mood. In a sector as demanding as aviation, the stress-relief factor alone is invaluable.”
Sports also improve cognitive function, sharpening focus and decision-making—critical skills for aviation professionals. Global studies support this. A 2022 Gallup survey found that employees engaged in workplace sports or wellness programmes reported 23% higher job satisfaction and 17% better teamwork ratings compared to their counterparts without such opportunities.
Sports as a Tool for Workplace Wellness
Experts posit that sports provide far more than recreation. They are powerful instruments for building resilience, fostering teamwork, and relieving stress. For aviation workers who routinely face long hours, strict schedules, and mentally intensive tasks, physical activity offers a healthy outlet. Regular participation in sporting activities helps reduce anxiety, improve focus, and enhance productivity—factors directly linked to operational efficiency.
More importantly, sporting events break the monotony of routine and create a sense of community within organisations. When staff share the field—whether in football, chess, or athletics—the barriers of rank and department dissolve. Directors and junior officers stand side by side, united not by hierarchy but by teamwork and shared goals. This sense of togetherness often translates back to the workplace, where communication and collaboration improve.
The NCAA and NAMA Example
In what has been described as a refreshing blend of work and play, two of Nigeria’s leading aviation regulatory agencies—the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)—recently took bold steps to use sports as a tool to boost staff morale, strengthen teamwork, and improve workplace wellness.
NAMA MD Engr. Farouk declaring the football tournament open
NCAA’s Groundbreaking Sports Week
For the first time in its 25-year history, NCAA launched the DGCA Sports Week 2025, flagged off by Director-General, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, at the NAF Base Sports Complex in Abuja. The event, which took place from June 23 to 28, brought together over 300 athletes from five regional offices and the corporate headquarters.
The historic inter-regional tournament saw staff compete in football, table tennis, chess, athletics, and swimming, among others.
Declaring the event open, the DGCA, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, underscored the importance of sports in the workplace, stressing that the week-long games are designed to foster togetherness, teamwork, and bonding among staff. “This is about much more than competition. It is about building a sense of family, promoting physical fitness, and improving mental well-being,” he said.
The opening ceremony was rich in colour, featuring cultural displays from the Gbagi host community, a lively Eyo masquerade parade, a march-past by the competing teams, and the symbolic presentation of the game torch to the DGCA.
The novelty football match between the Abuja regional office and corporate headquarters—where NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, featured as a “celebrity player”—added to the excitement.
NAMA’s Maiden Football Tournament and a Salary Boost
Similarly, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) launched its MD’s Football Competition at its Abuja headquarters on Wednesday August 27th. The Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Umar Ahmed, said the initiative was aimed at breaking down barriers and building trust across departments.
NAMA Director, Air Traffic Services, Mr. John Tayo presenting the trophy to the captain of DATS team
“This competition is not just about football; it is about teamwork, understanding, and creating harmony within our organisation. It has come to stay and will henceforth be an annual event,” Ahmed said.
The morale of staff was further lifted when Engr. Ahmed announced a long-awaited salary upgrade, approved by the National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission, to take effect on August 29, 2025.
The announcement was greeted with thunderous applause, underscoring how welfare initiatives combined with recreation can have a multiplier effect on employee satisfaction.
At the final match played on Monday September 1st, the Managing Director, Engr Farouk, who was represented by the Director, Air Traffic Services, Mr. Tayo john described the tournament as successful with the match between the Directorate of Air Traffic Services and the Directorate of Human Resources and Administration at NAMA HQ.
He exclaimed: “Wow, what an incredible match! I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to both DATS Football Club and DHR Football Club on an outstanding game. The energy, skill, and sportsmanship displayed today were truly impressive.”
While congratulating his directorate for the victory, Mr. Tayo said “To the winning team, DATS Football Club, congratulations on your well-deserved victory! Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork paid off, and I’m thrilled to see you lift the MD’s Cup.
To both teams, I commend your passion, commitment, and respect for the game. Football is not just about winning or losing; it’s about the joy of playing, the camaraderie among teammates, and the thrill of competition.”
“Let’s celebrate this momentous occasion and look forward to more thrilling matches in the future by our women football team. Cheers to DATS Football Club, and may this victory inspire you to continue striving for excellence.”
The NAMA helmsman commended the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Affairs, Musa Abdullahi for initiating the competition and pledged continued support for staff welfare programmes.
Stakeholders’ Views
Observers say the twin initiatives by NCAA and NAMA are not just about sporting contests, but a deliberate strategy to address workplace stress, promote unity, and create lasting memories that will boost overall morale in the aviation sector.
By turning to sports, these agencies are sending a strong message: a healthy, motivated workforce is the surest route to peak performance in a sector as critical as aviation.
According to workplace analyst Funmi Osho, “What NAMA has done is textbook human resource strategy—combining financial reward with wellness and social recognition. That mix is far more powerful than any single incentive.”
Global Context
Around the world, leading organisations have long recognised the benefits of integrating sports into their workplace culture. Companies invest in gyms, wellness programmes, and recreational activities because they understand that a motivated workforce is a productive one.
Airlines and regulators globally—from Emirates in Dubai to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States—run wellness and sports programmes for staff. The NCAA and NAMA initiatives align Nigeria with this global trend.
Research consistently shows that employees who engage in regular physical activity report higher job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and greater loyalty to their organisations.
For the aviation sector in particular, where the human factor plays a critical role in safety, the importance of morale cannot be overstated. A fatigued or demotivated employee is more prone to errors, which can have serious consequences. Sports, by improving both physical and mental health, reduce such risks and ensure a more alert, focused workforce.
Beyond the Games
The role of sports in boosting morale goes beyond competition or physical health. It represents recognition by management that employees are valued not just as workers, but as people. Sporting events allow staff to relax, interact informally, and build trust. They also create lasting memories and traditions that strengthen organisational culture.
A participant at the NCAA Sports Week summed it up this way “When you see your boss sweating it out on the field with you, it changes how you see them at the office. It makes you feel we are all working toward the same goal.”
The Way Forward
The initiatives by NCAA and NAMA should serve as a blueprint for other agencies and stakeholders in the aviation sector. By institutionalising sports as part of staff welfare policies, organisations can reduce workplace stress, improve collaboration, and enhance overall efficiency.
In the end, the lesson is simple: aviation is about people as much as it is about planes and technology. When those people are healthy, motivated, and united, the entire sector benefits. Sports, therefore, are not just games—they are investments in safety, productivity, and the future of aviation.
The lesson is clear: a motivated workforce is the foundation of efficiency, and sometimes, the best way to achieve it is by letting staff trade their desks for the playing field.
As aviation continues to expand in Nigeria, investing in staff welfare through sports must become a tradition rather than an occasional gesture. Institutionalising annual sports competitions, fitness programmes, and recreational activities can help reduce stress, improve performance, and sustain motivation.
Ultimately, sports are not just games. In aviation, they are tools for safety, efficiency, and organisational success. When staff are motivated and healthy, the skies are not only safer—they are brighter.
