The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has raised serious concerns over deteriorating working conditions and aging aviation infrastructure, warning that it may be compelled to limit flight operations nationwide to safeguard both personnel and the country’s airspace.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Edino Amos, and General Secretary, Umar Fahad, the association said the situation has reached a critical stage where safety, operational stability, and effective airspace management can no longer be guaranteed.
NATCA stressed that its position is not driven by sentiment but by the realities of a safety-critical profession being pushed beyond acceptable limits.
According to the statement, air traffic controllers are currently operating under sustained operational deficiencies, inadequate tools, unresolved welfare concerns, and increasing psychological strain—conditions that pose avoidable risks in an industry where precision and alertness are vital at all times.
A major concern highlighted is the continued decay of Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure. NATCA noted that many of these critical systems are obsolete and unreliable, forcing controllers to work around technical limitations that should not exist in a modern aviation environment.
The association warned that no airspace can be considered truly safe when those responsible for managing it are compelled to operate beyond the safe limits of available systems.
Beyond infrastructure, NATCA decried the lack of structured training, retraining, and long-term manpower development. It explained that aviation is a dynamic sector that demands continuous professional development, but inadequate investment in recurrent training has slowed capacity growth and weakened operational resilience. With increasing traffic in Nigeria’s airspace, the association cautioned that the system risks a shortage of adequately prepared controllers.
NATCA also drew attention to unsafe and substandard working environments, particularly in some control towers that fail to meet basic ergonomic and safety standards. It cited the recent fire incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, where controllers reportedly had to escape under hazardous conditions before resuming duties shortly after, despite the trauma.
Career stagnation remains another pressing issue. The association revealed that many experienced controllers have remained on Grade Level 16 for between six and thirteen years, describing the situation as deeply demoralising in a profession that demands sustained excellence and discipline.
The association further criticised the failure to review professional and aeromedical allowances since 2012, despite worsening economic realities. It noted that these allowances are essential for maintaining certification and ensuring that controllers remain medically fit for duty, in line with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In addition, NATCA pointed to discrepancies in remuneration linked to post-licence ratings, which have persisted despite repeated calls for correction, as well as prolonged delays in the payment of duty-related claims. These challenges, it said, have imposed financial strain on members and contributed to declining morale across the profession.
To address manpower shortages, the association proposed that retiring controllers be reabsorbed into the system at a grade level below their current rank, subject to medical fitness. This, it said, would help preserve institutional knowledge while easing pressure on younger personnel.
NATCA also noted that morale has been further undermined by situations where highly experienced controllers report to junior officers in other departments, a development it said erodes professional dignity and weakens confidence within the system.
While acknowledging the efforts of the federal government and aviation authorities, the association called for urgent intervention, meaningful engagement, and sustainable reforms to address the growing concerns.
It emphasised that the issues raised go beyond staff welfare, warning that continued neglect could have serious implications for passenger safety, airline operations, and the overall integrity of Nigeria’s aviation system.
NATCA maintained that its members are not seeking luxury, but the minimum conditions required to carry out their critical national duty safely and effectively.