Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Threaten Work Reductions

The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has warned of potential work reductions due to deteriorating working conditions and insufficient manpower, which they claim have led to unsafe and unsustainable operational environments. NATCA President Edino Ilemona and General Secretary Umar Fahad emphasized the critical need for improved safety measures, citing outdated tools and unresolved welfare issues that increase psychological pressure on controllers.

They referenced a recent life-threatening incident at Murtala Muhammed International Airport as indicative of the risks faced daily. In response, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), represented by Dr. Abdullahi Musa, refuted claims of an unsafe airspace, asserting that the current radar systems are operational and that the government is procuring modern replacements.

NAMA also noted that 140 air traffic controllers underwent specialized training in the past year to enhance safety procedures, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining safety as a top priority.