Tension is mounting across Nigeria’s aviation sector as Nigerian air traffic controllers have raised a fresh alarm, warning that deteriorating infrastructure, poor welfare, and mounting psychological strain may force them to consider nationwide flow control measures to ease pressure on members.
The controllers, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, raised the alarm in a statement signed by the President, Edino Amos, and the Secretary of the association, Umar Fahd.
They expressed serious concerns over the year-long workload imbalance, particularly outdated air traffic control equipment, which they said is forcing workers to be overstretched, among other critical issues affecting the administration and operations of Nigeria’s airspace.
Barely a month ago, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, Farouk Umar, lamented the state of outdated equipment, warning that if urgent action is not taken, the country may lose control of its airspace services.
Following this development, the workers’ association stated, “The safety of personnel, the stability of operations, and the protection of the nation’s airspace can no longer be taken for granted. Our concerns are not driven by convenience or emotion, but by the reality of a safety-critical profession being stretched beyond acceptable limits.
“Sustained operational deficiencies, inadequate working tools, unresolved welfare issues, and severe psychological strain are the conditions under which controllers currently operate. 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.”
A major concern, according to NATCA, is the state of obsolete Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance infrastructure, with the association warning that the current reality falls short of global expectations for a modern aviation system.
Beyond infrastructure, the body highlighted a serious gap in manpower development, training, and retraining, warning that the sector risks falling behind global best practices without sustained investment in human capacity.
Referencing the recent fire incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the association also drew attention to unsafe working environments, stressing that the development exposed the dangers controllers face daily.
NATCA further stated, “Critical communication, navigation, and surveillance systems remain outdated and fail to meet acceptable reliability standards, forcing controllers to work around system weaknesses that should not exist in a modern aviation environment.
“Aviation is a highly dynamic industry that requires continuous professional development to keep pace with evolving technologies, procedures, and global best practices. The absence of structured training programmes and long-term manpower planning is weakening operational resilience and slowing professional growth.
“Controllers had to escape through dangerous means before being rescued by crane, yet resumed operations shortly after. This incident exposes the hidden risks controllers face while serving the public under intense pressure.”
NATCA further noted that career stagnation has compounded frustrations within the system, with many controllers reportedly remaining on the same grade level for years despite their experience and responsibilities.
The association also condemned the failure to review professional and aeromedical allowances since 2012, noting that economic realities have significantly changed.
The statement added, “Many experienced Air Traffic Controllers have remained on Grade Level 16 for periods ranging from six to 13 years. This is deeply demoralising in a profession that demands discipline, excellence, and long-term commitment, and it sends the wrong message to hardworking professionals who shoulder huge responsibilities without corresponding advancement.
“These allowances are not privileges but essential support for maintaining valid certification, operational readiness, and the health of controllers who must remain medically fit for duty. The continued delay in reviewing them, alongside discrepancies in post-licence rating payments, has resulted in financial hardship and uncertainty.
“Controllers are forced to personally absorb work-related expenses while continuing to perform demanding safety-critical duties, and this has significantly lowered morale.”
In a bid to address manpower shortages, the association proposed that retiring controllers be reabsorbed into the system to retain experience and strengthen operational capacity. The body also expressed concern over what it described as a growing morale crisis within the system.
“This approach will allow the aviation system to continue benefiting from invaluable experience, institutional knowledge, and mentoring capacity, while helping to address manpower gaps and reduce pressure on younger controllers.
“Highly experienced senior Air Traffic Controllers are increasingly working under their junior officers in other departments. This has deepened frustration, damaged dignity, and weakened confidence within the system,” the body stated.
While acknowledging efforts by the Minister of Aviation and other authorities, NATCA called for urgent and meaningful intervention to address the issues raised. The statement further stated, “Air traffic controllers are not asking for luxury, but for the minimum conditions required to perform a high-risk national duty safely and effectively.”
Efforts to get the minister’s aide to comment on the development were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the media aide, Tunde Moshood, were not responded to as of press time.
