The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has announced that its 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held from 21st to 22nd October 2025 in Abuja, reaffirming its dedication to advancing air traffic management and ensuring safer Nigerian skies through continuous capacity building and innovation.
This year’s AGM, themed “The Human Edge: Capacity Building in the Next Generation Air Traffic Management,” will serve as a major convergence point for air traffic management professionals, aviation regulators, service providers, and stakeholders to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of global air navigation systems and Nigeria’s preparedness for the future.
Speaking ahead of the event, President of NATCA, Mr. Edino Amos Ilemona, said the theme underscores the pivotal role of human expertise amid rapid technological advancements such as automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation shaping modern air traffic management systems.
“As the aviation industry transitions into more technology-driven systems, the human controller remains the core of air traffic safety and coordination. This AGM aims to strengthen our members’ capacity through dialogue, policy engagement, and professional development,” Ilemona stated.
He emphasised that the AGM would provide a platform to assess Nigeria’s readiness to integrate next-generation technologies into its air traffic management framework while maintaining the highest levels of safety, efficiency, and professionalism.
Reiterating NATCA’s unwavering commitment to a safer and more technology-driven Nigerian airspace, Ilemona commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, for their steadfast support and leadership in sustaining operational safety across the country’s aviation sector.
He further highlighted that the 54th AGM will explore the critical intersection between human expertise and emerging aviation technologies, stressing the need for Nigerian air traffic controllers to continually upgrade their skills through structured training and exposure.
“The theme of this AGM reflects our conviction that while technology enhances efficiency, it is the human edge – the skill, judgment, and professionalism of the air traffic controller – that guarantees safety,” the NATCA President affirmed.
The two-day event will bring together delegates from across Nigeria and international representatives, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA), and the United States Air Traffic Services (ATS), among others.
Activities lined up for the AGM include technical paper presentations, panel discussions, training workshops, exhibitions, and interactive sessions designed to promote knowledge exchange and innovation in air traffic management.
The event will culminate with an awards ceremony recognising individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to air traffic safety and professional excellence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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