Nigeria’s traffic controllers have raised serious concerns over aviation safety amid systemic challenges in the country’s airspace. President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), Comrade Edino Ilemona Amos, highlighted obsolete equipment, low morale, and excessive workload as key threats. He emphasised that urgent government intervention is necessary to address these “crippling” issues.
Speaking at the IFATCA/ITF Africa Joint Workshop in Lagos, Amos said traffic controllers face operational, physical, and mental strain that directly impacts safety. “Our members are at a breaking point,” he said. “Without immediate corrective measures, air traffic management efficiency and safety could be undermined.”
The workshop, hosted by NATCA in collaboration with the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), is designed to strengthen professional engagement. It provides a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and constructive industrial relations in aviation.
Amos expressed optimism that the workshop would empower traffic controllers to engage stakeholders effectively. “We hope this training galvanizes our ability to present operational challenges to management and government,” he said. “It is a golden opportunity for the profession to elevate air traffic management standards in Nigeria.”
Participants from across Africa and beyond attended the workshop, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing aviation safety and innovation. Amos highlighted NATCA’s ambition to lead in the IFATCA Africa and Middle East (AFM) region, aiming to raise professional standards for traffic controllers.
He also thanked supportive agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for their collaboration. “Sustained government action is required to modernise infrastructure, improve working conditions, and ensure adequate staffing,” he added.
Meanwhile, Executive Vice President IFATCA Africa and Middle East Region, Ahmad Abba, mni, emphasised the importance of professional dialogue and industrial relations training. “This workshop exists to help traffic controllers achieve goals without necessarily resorting to strike action,” Abba said.
He reflected on his tenure as Regional Vice President for East Africa and his election in 2023 as Executive Vice President. He noted that labour disputes in other regions have had significant operational and economic consequences. “In East Africa, we faced a strike that affected almost half of African airspace,” he explained. “It had a serious economic impact, and it was clear that better communication and training could have mitigated it.”
Abba stressed that IFATCA is a non-political, non-profit organisation focused on professional development. “We care about our members’ wellbeing, coordination, and communication with employers,” he said. “Training in industrial relations allows traffic controllers to achieve objectives safely and responsibly.”
He added that with proper support, disputes can be resolved through dialogue and structured negotiation. “We now train our peers to engage employers effectively and achieve results without unnecessary strikes,” Abba said. “This approach enhances safety, maintains operational continuity, and strengthens professionalism.”
Amos echoed these points, noting that continuous capacity building is critical given current pressures on Nigeria’s traffic controllers. “This training is timely,” he said. “It empowers members to communicate challenges and collaborate on solutions to elevate air traffic management standards.”
The workshop also fosters networking, innovation, and knowledge exchange among aviation professionals. Observers note that Nigeria’s challenges mirror broader global trends, where air traffic growth often outpaces investment in navigation systems and staff welfare.
Industry experts warn that failing to address these challenges could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Therefore, modernising equipment, managing workloads, and improving staff welfare are crucial.
Both NATCA and IFATCA emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement. Regulators, service providers, and professional associations must collaborate to protect operational safety while supporting staff wellbeing.
Amos concluded that traffic controllers remain committed to excellence despite pressures. “We are optimistic that outcomes from this workshop will translate into concrete actions that protect both staff and passengers,” he said.
This event marks a milestone for African aviation professionals, combining regulatory insight, industrial relations expertise, and professional development under one platform. It reinforces NATCA’s mandate to amplify the voice of traffic controllers in Nigeria and to ensure safe, efficient operations across national airspace.
