The Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, has warned that Nigeria risks losing effective airspace surveillance due to ageing radar infrastructure under the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria, TRACON.
He says the system has become obsolete, with spare parts now difficult to source, raising concerns over the continuity of critical air navigation services.
Speaking during a briefing in Abuja, Mr. Umar explained that the lifespan of such high-tech systems is typically about a decade, noting that TRACON began falling behind global standards as far back as 2014 when countries started adopting more advanced technologies.
He cautioned that meeting safety requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation could soon become difficult without urgent upgrades.
The TRACON project, inaugurated in 2001, was designed to provide full radar coverage of Nigerian airspace through nine sites operated in partnership with Thales.
The system combines primary and secondary radar to track aircraft in real time and enhance safety, but officials say many components are now outdated and operating without backup.
The NAMA MD also highlighted broader operational challenges facing the agency, including inadequate funding for safety-critical projects, rising costs driven by currency pressures, and a 30 per cent deduction from internally generated revenue.
He added that manpower shortages, limited training, and mounting debts owed by airlines and airports are further straining operations, while long-standing navigation charges remain unchanged despite increasing expenses.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Mahmoud Kambari, assured of stronger collaboration with aviation agencies to address the challenges.
He emphasized the need for improved coordination, staff welfare, and sustained investment in safety systems, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining global aviation standards and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the sector.
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen