The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has sounded a grave warning over the state of Nigeria’s air traffic management system, revealing that it is considering the introduction of nationwide flow control measures to ease mounting fatigue among controllers and safeguard operational integrity.
In a detailed press statement, the Association painted a troubling picture of a profession under strain, citing deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate manpower, poor welfare conditions, and prolonged career stagnation as key factors pushing the system towards a potential safety crisis.
NATCA stressed that the challenges confronting air traffic controllers are no longer routine administrative concerns but have evolved into serious safety risks. It noted that personnel are being forced to operate under sustained pressure, compounded by insufficient tools, systemic inefficiencies, and growing psychological stress.
According to the Association, such conditions are incompatible with the demands of a safety-critical profession where sustained concentration, mental alertness, and precision are essential at every moment.
At the centre of the crisis, NATCA said, is the obsolete state of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure across the country. These systems, which form the backbone of modern airspace management, are reportedly outdated and unreliable.
The Association warned that controllers are increasingly required to compensate for technological shortcomings – an arrangement it described as both unsustainable and dangerous in a modern aviation environment.
NATCA also highlighted significant shortcomings in training and manpower development, noting that the absence of structured and continuous professional training programmes has slowed capacity-building within the sector.
With global aviation standards evolving rapidly, the Association cautioned that failure to invest in recurrent training and long-term workforce planning could leave Nigeria ill-prepared to meet the growing demands of its expanding airspace.
Further compounding the crisis are reports of unsafe working environments at several control towers. NATCA referenced a recent incident at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where a fire outbreak forced air traffic controllers to evacuate under hazardous conditions before being rescued.
The Association expressed concern that affected personnel were required to return to duty shortly after the incident, despite the traumatic experience, raising serious questions about occupational safety standards in the sector.
On the issue of career progression, NATCA decried what it described as “chronic stagnation,” revealing that many senior controllers have remained on Grade Level 16 for up to 13 years without advancement.
It argued that such prolonged stagnation undermines morale and sends a discouraging signal to professionals in a field that demands long-term commitment and excellence.
Equally contentious is the failure to review professional and aeromedical allowances since 2012. NATCA maintained that these allowances are essential, not optional, as they support mandatory health checks and certification requirements needed to keep controllers fit for duty.
The Association also pointed to discrepancies in the payment of post-licence rating allowances, noting that unresolved errors have led to financial hardship and eroded trust within the system.
In addition, NATCA criticised the prolonged delay in reimbursing controllers for legitimate operational expenses. Many claims, it said, have remained unsettled for months, forcing personnel to shoulder official costs personally amid worsening economic conditions.
This, the Association warned, has significantly contributed to declining morale and increased stress levels among controllers.
The statement further highlighted growing dissatisfaction within the workforce, particularly over organisational structures that place highly experienced controllers under the supervision of junior officers in other departments.
NATCA described this as a blow to professional dignity and institutional order, warning that it has further weakened confidence across the system.
As part of its proposed solutions, NATCA recommended that retiring controllers be re-engaged on a structured basis, subject to medical fitness, at one grade level below their previous rank.
It said such a policy would help preserve institutional memory, provide mentorship for younger officers, and address manpower shortages in a sector where training new controllers requires significant time and investment.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by aviation authorities, NATCA called for urgent, decisive action to address the multifaceted crisis.
The Association emphasised that its concerns extend beyond staff welfare to the broader safety of passengers, airlines, and the national airspace system. It urged stakeholders and the public to recognise that air traffic controllers are demanding only the minimum standards required to perform their duties safely.
With the possibility of nationwide flow control measures looming, NATCA’s warning signals a critical moment for Nigeria’s aviation sector—one that may require swift reforms to prevent operational disruptions and ensure continued safety in the skies.
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