Nigeria’s air traffic controllers have threatened to withdraw their services over the continued deterioration of communication and surveillance infrastructure, warning that inadequate equipment is putting the safety of the country’s airspace at risk.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) said it was considering industrial action following what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to address persistent infrastructure challenges affecting air traffic management across the country.
The National President of NATCA, Edino Amos, disclosed this on Tuesday at the association’s 55th Annual General Meeting, held under the theme, “Beyond Silos to Synergy: Shaping the Future of Nigerian Air Traffic Management”.
Amos described 2026 as a particularly difficult year for air traffic controllers, noting that there had been no significant improvement in the communication and surveillance equipment required to coordinate aircraft movements and maintain safe distances between flights.
He said government approvals and procurement announcements had yet to translate into functional equipment at control centres across the country.
“On infrastructure, the year under review has been a difficult one for the Association. Despite the considerable challenges faced by ATCOs across the length and breadth of the country, there has been no significant improvement in our communication and surveillance infrastructure.
“We acknowledge the approvals and procurement milestones that have been announced. However, these have yet to translate into a material improvement in the equipment available to controllers at the console,” he said.
The association disclosed that it had made several efforts to draw the attention of relevant government institutions to the situation, including seeking engagements with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
According to Amos, communication and surveillance infrastructure should not be subjected to funding uncertainties and prolonged procurement processes because of their critical importance to aviation safety and operational efficiency.
He warned that the association could resort to withdrawing its services if the government failed to provide a clear strategic plan for a comprehensive overhaul of the facilities.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I state that this frustrating engagement is pushing the Association towards considering the withdrawal of our services, should there be no clear strategic plan for the total overhaul of communication and surveillance infrastructure in Nigeria,” he said.
Amos maintained that substantial investment in the infrastructure would improve airspace safety, reduce operational inefficiencies and prevent avoidable financial losses for airline operators.
He identified improved aviation safety, increased airline traffic, higher government revenue, stronger national security and an improved international rating for Nigeria as some of the benefits of upgrading the facilities.
The NATCA president also stressed that reliable surveillance systems were essential to national security, noting that effective monitoring of aircraft movements served purposes beyond civil aviation.
Appealing directly to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Amos said the association’s position should not be interpreted as an attempt to threaten the government but as a patriotic call by professionals concerned about the safety of Nigerian airspace.
“Honourable Minister, we make this call not as a threat, but as patriots who sit daily before screens and failing frequencies to keep this country safe,” he added.
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