Air traffic controllers threaten strike over poor surveillance systems

FILE: National President of NATCA, Edino Amos

Nigeria’s air traffic controllers have threatened to withdraw their services over the persistent deterioration of the country’s communication and surveillance infrastructure, warning that continued reliance on inadequate equipment is putting pressure on aviation safety and testing the patience of professionals responsible for keeping the nation’s airspace safe.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which raised the alarm over what it described as a frustrating lack of progress in addressing critical infrastructure deficiencies, said it could be forced to consider withdrawing its services if the Federal Government fails to present a clear and comprehensive plan for overhauling the country’s communication and surveillance systems.

The National President of NATCA, Edino Amos, said 2026 had been particularly difficult for air traffic controllers across the country, with little or no meaningful improvement in the equipment they depend on to coordinate aircraft movements and maintain safe separation between flights.

Amos said this on Tuesday at the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, with the theme, “Beyond Silos to Synergy: Shaping the Future of Nigerian Air Traffic Management”.

Despite government approvals and announced procurement milestones, Amos lamented that the developments had yet to translate into better working equipment at control consoles across the country.

The NATCA president stressed that while the association acknowledged the approvals and procurement processes announced by the authorities, what mattered ultimately was the availability of functional equipment capable of supporting the daily demands of air traffic management.

He said, “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.”

NATCA said it had made several efforts to draw the attention of key government authorities to the situation, including seeking high-level 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, the association’s position is that communication and surveillance infrastructure should not be subjected to funding uncertainties or prolonged procurement processes, given their importance to the safe and efficient management of the country’s airspace.

Despite these engagements, the association appears increasingly dissatisfied with the pace of government intervention, raising the possibility of industrial action if concrete commitments are not forthcoming.

“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,” Amos warned.

Amos argued that significant investment in communication and surveillance systems would improve the safety of Nigerian airspace, reduce operational inefficiencies and help airlines avoid unnecessary economic losses.

According to him, the benefits of addressing the infrastructure deficiencies extend to five critical areas: improved airspace safety, reduced economic waste and better profitability for airline operators, increased airline traffic and government revenue, stronger national security and an improved global rating for Nigeria.

The association believes that reliable surveillance infrastructure is particularly important in strengthening the country’s security architecture, as effective monitoring of aircraft movements is essential not only to civil aviation but also to broader national security objectives.

In a direct appeal to the aviation minister, Amos insisted that the association’s position should not be interpreted as an attempt to threaten the government but as a patriotic intervention by professionals concerned about the safety of the nation’s 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 said.