Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Raise Safety Concerns

The Nigerian Air Traffic Control Association (NATCA) has expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating working conditions faced by air traffic controllers in Nigeria. The association highlighted issues such as inadequate manpower, career progression challenges, and unresolved welfare issues that have led to significant psychological strain on personnel.

NATCA emphasized that the safety of airspace management is compromised when controllers are compelled to operate beyond safe limits due to insufficient resources. The statement, signed by NATCA President Edino Ilemona and General Secretary Umar Fahad, criticized the obsolescence of communication navigation surveillance infrastructure, which fails to meet acceptable reliability standards.

Furthermore, NATCA warned that without adequate investment in training programs and a long-term manpower development plan, the profession's growth will be stunted, weakening operational resilience and increasing risks in Nigeria's expanding airspace control.