Crisis is brewing within Nigeria’s aviation sector as air traffic controllers and air traffic engineers disagree over the safety and reliability of the nation’s airspace management system.

The professional associations – Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) and the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE), belong to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

While NATCA, with Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) as its members, claimed that the nation’s airspace infrastructure, workforce capacity and operational safety equipment are in a state of disrepute, NAAE on the other hand, whose members are air traffic engineers insisted that significant upgrades and interventions in recent times had strengthened the country’s air navigation system.

NATCA had on Sunday declared that Nigeria’s Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure were in deplorable conditions, arguing that the situation posed a direct threat to aviation safety.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Amos Edino, and General Secretary, Fahad Umar, the association purported that air traffic controllers were increasingly being forced to operate under unsafe conditions.

According to NATCA, many critical systems across airports remained outdated and unreliable, compelling controllers to “work around system weaknesses that should not exist in a modern aviation environment.”

The association stressed that the consequences go beyond technical limitations, warning that personnel are being pushed beyond safe operational limits due to a combination of infrastructure gaps, manpower shortages, unresolved welfare issues and several other challenges.

But, NAAE in a swift reaction, dated April 13, 2026 and obtained yesterday, rejected NATCA’s claims.

The letter, which was addressed to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Managing Director of NAMA, Festus Keyamo and Farouk Umar, respectively, describing NATCA’s claim as exaggerated and not reflective of current realities within NAMA.

The letter was jointly signed by its President, Selzing Miri and General Secretary, Muhammadu Shuaibu.

According to NAAE, NAMA had in recent time, had invested in modernisation of infrastructure across airports and stations.

NAAE acknowledged the critical role of air traffic controllers, but insisted that the narrative of widespread system failure was misleading.

According to the engineers, NAMA had undertaken significant upgrades to its CNS and Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems in recent years, stressing that these included efforts to overhaul the ageing Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system and the deployment of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) technology to enhance surveillance capabilities.

The association also mentioned the modernisation of control towers and continuous improvements in navigational aids and communication networks nationwide.

It further pointed to the recent flag-off of a new NAMA headquarters and Air Traffic Management Centre by Keyamo, as evidence of long-term commitment to strengthening the system.

The letter expressed that when completed, the facility is expected to serve as the central hub for air traffic management in Nigeria.

NAAE said: “Contrary to the claim of widespread obsolete infrastructure, NAMA has, in recent years, implemented significant upgrades to critical Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS)/Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, including:

“In a move to keep the radar system functional, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier approved the overhaul of the TRACON system. Consequently, NAMA has commenced the process of deploying ADS-B to support the ageing national surveillance infrastructure, while efforts are ongoing through Presidential intervention to replace the ageing TRACON system.”

On workforce issues, NAAE maintained that NAMA had taken deliberate steps to address staffing gaps.

These included the recruitment of new controllers and technical personnel, as well as the re-engagement of about 95 per cent of retired controllers on contract basis.

The association described this approach as a strategic blend of experience and fresh talent aimed at ensuring operational continuity.

The association warned that public narratives suggesting otherwise could undermine confidence in the aviation sector.