Aviation
THE Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has expressed worry at manpower shortage and obsolete Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure in air traffic control system in the country.
NATCA made this known in a statement jointly issued by its President and Secretary, Edino Ilemona and Umar Fahad, respectively, on Sunday in Lagos.
According to the association, Nigeria’s airspace is strained by the situation while its members were having undesirable experiences.
NATCA said that its members might resort to nationwide flow control due to the manpower shortage and obsolete CNS infrastructure.
“No airspace can be truly safe when the people responsible for managing it are compelled to operate beyond the safe limits of their available systems,” it said.
NATCA said that the operational deficiencies create avoidable risks.
It said that such work conditions were unsustainable and hazardous.
The association also urged improved welfare package for its members, saying that some experienced controllers had remained on grade level 16 for up to 13 years.
It added that some controllers’ claims were not paid while some of their allowances had been outdated.
It called for reabsorption of retired controllers into the system on a grade level lower than their retirement ranks to allow the industry to retain institutional knowledge.
“These issues are not only about staff welfare, they are also about the safety of passengers, airlines, airport users, and the entire aviation ecosystem.”
NATCA, however, acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), in improving Nigeria’s aviation industry. (NAN)
A.I
April 12, 2026
Tags: Festus Keyamo Mr Edino Ilemona Mr Umar Fahad NATCA Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association