Concerns are mounting over the state of Nigeria’s airspace management, as the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, NATCA, warns that worsening conditions in the profession are beginning to pose serious risks to safety and operations.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Mr Amos Edino, and General Secretary, Mr. Umar Fahad, the association says the welfare, working environment, manpower levels and career progression of air traffic controllers have deteriorated to alarming levels.
NATCA notes that controllers are now operating under intense pressure, with outdated equipment, inadequate tools and unresolved welfare issues, conditions it says are stretching a safety-critical profession beyond acceptable limits.
The association warns that such strain not only affects personnel but could also undermine the stability of flight operations across the country.
A major concern highlighted is the continued reliance on obsolete communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure, which forces controllers to work around system failures that should not exist in a modern aviation system.
The association insists that no airspace can be considered safe when those managing it must depend on unreliable equipment.
The group also points to gaps in training and manpower development, warning that insufficient investment in continuous professional training is weakening the system’s ability to cope with the growing demands of Nigeria’s expanding airspace.
It further describes working conditions in some control towers as unsafe, citing a recent fire incident at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where controllers reportedly escaped under dangerous circumstances before returning to duty shortly after.
NATCA says the incident underscores the hidden risks faced by personnel.
Beyond operational concerns, the association highlights deepening frustration over stalled career progression, with many experienced controllers reportedly remaining on the same grade level for years, alongside allowances that have not been reviewed in over a decade despite rising economic pressures.
Delayed payments of duty-related claims and discrepancies in remuneration have also added to the burden, with NATCA warning that declining morale could have wider safety implications in a profession that demands constant focus and precision.
The association is now calling for urgent government intervention, including improved infrastructure, better welfare packages and structured manpower development, stressing that its demands are not about luxury but about ensuring the minimum conditions required to safely manage the nation’s skies.
NATCA maintains that addressing these issues is critical not just for its members, but for the safety of passengers, airlines and the entire aviation sector, warning that continued neglect could further strain the system and compromise operational integrity.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen