General News
Air Traffic Controllers Raise Safety Concerns over Failing Systems, Worsening Welfare
Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has warned that flight delays across the country may soon become inevitable as it considers implementing nationwide flow control measures to reduce mounting physical and mental fatigue among controllers.
NATCA said the decision is being driven by worsening working conditions, inadequate manpower, and the continued decline of critical communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure.
In a firm statement jointly signed by Edino Ilemona Amos, president, and Umar Fahad, general secretary, the association warned that air traffic controllers are being stretched beyond safe limits and alluded to serious concerns about the reliability of the country’s airspace management.
NATCA insisted its alarm is based on operational realities, not sentiment.
Controllers, it said, are working under “sustained operational deficiencies, inadequate working tools, unresolved welfare issues, and severe psychological strain”, conditions it described as incompatible with a job that demands total concentration and split-second decision-making.
A major trigger, the association noted, is the continued use of outdated communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure.
According to NATCA, critical systems remain unreliable, forcing controllers to improvise around technical gaps that should not exist in a modern aviation environment.
It cautioned that “no airspace can be truly safe when the people responsible for managing it are compelled to operate beyond the safe limits of their available systems,” warning that infrastructure decay is directly increasing operational risk.
The association also flagged a worrying shortage of structured training and manpower development. With aviation evolving rapidly, NATCA said the absence of consistent retraining and long-term workforce planning is leaving the system exposed.
It warned that without urgent investment, Nigeria risks a shortage of adequately trained controllers, even as flight traffic continues to grow, an imbalance that could weaken safety margins.
Working conditions, the association added, are equally troubling. Some control towers, it said, fall short of basic safety standards. It pointed to the recent fire incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where controllers reportedly escaped under dangerous conditions before returning to duty soon after.
NATCA said the incident highlights the hidden dangers controllers face daily, often without adequate protection or recovery time.
Beyond operational risks, the association described a deepening welfare crisis. Many experienced controllers, it revealed, have remained on Grade Level 16 for up to 13 years, a situation it called “deeply demoralising” in a profession that demands long-term commitment and discipline.
Delayed promotions, it warned, are eroding morale and sending the wrong signal to professionals responsible for safeguarding lives.
The association also criticised the failure to review professional and aeromedical allowances, which have remained unchanged since 2012 despite rising economic pressures. It stressed that these are not luxury benefits but essential support needed to maintain certification, health standards, and operational readiness.
Further compounding the issue are inconsistencies in the payment of post-licence rating allowances. NATCA said controllers are not being properly remunerated in line with approved structures, creating financial strain and uncertainty.
Despite repeated efforts to resolve the discrepancies, the association said the issue remains unresolved, undermining trust and deepening frustration within the ranks.
In addition, claims for legitimate duty-related expenses have remained unpaid for months, forcing controllers to personally absorb operational costs, an unsustainable situation in the current economic climate.
To ease manpower pressure, NATCA proposed re-engaging retired controllers at slightly lower grade levels, subject to medical fitness. This, it said, would help retain critical experience, strengthen mentoring, and reduce the burden on younger personnel.
Given the long and rigorous training required to produce qualified controllers, the association described the proposal as a practical step toward maintaining operational stability.
NATCA also raised concerns over structural imbalances within the system, noting that senior controllers are increasingly working under junior officers in other departments. This, it said, has “deepened frustration, damaged dignity, and weakened confidence” across the profession.
The association warned that morale has dropped sharply and is now part of a wider welfare crisis that could impact overall system performance.
While acknowledging efforts by aviation authorities, NATCA called for urgent and decisive intervention to address infrastructure decay, welfare challenges, and manpower gaps.
“These issues are not only about staff welfare; they are about the safety of passengers, airlines, airport users, and the entire aviation ecosystem,” the statement said.
With the threat of a nationwide flight slowdown looming, stakeholders are now under pressure to act quickly, as the consequences of inaction could extend far beyond delays to the core of aviation safety in Nigeria.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has explained why kidnappers and terrorists are not always traceable despite the country’s expanding digital identity infrastructure.
NIMC explanation pointed to a simple but significant gap in the system.
Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director-general of the agency said that: “A lot of the time, you find out the kidnappers use the phones of the people they have abducted, which means how do you trace them because they are not using their own phones?” she said.
Coker-Odusote spoke during an appearance on Channels Television, where she was asked to explain why criminals remain difficult to trace despite the mandatory NIN-SIM linkage policy.
She said criminals frequently frustrate investigations by using mobile phones belonging to their victims, instead of their own registered lines.
“We already know the NIN is the foundational identity for the security architecture, but a lot of the time, you find out the kidnappers use the phones of the people they have abducted. Which means, how do you trace them because they are not using their own phones?” she said.
She also suggested that some criminal elements involved in kidnapping operations may not even be captured in Nigeria’s identity database.
“There is a theory that it may be possible that these kidnappers are not Nigerians and are brought into the country 48 or 72 hours before a kidnapping takes place specifically for that purpose. I’m not insinuating anything, but if that were the case, they naturally would not be captured in our database,” she added.
The comments have revived questions about whether expectations placed on the NIN-SIM linkage have exceeded what the system was designed to deliver.
The NIN-SIM linkage exercise was introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with NIMC to strengthen identity management, eliminate anonymous SIM ownership and support national security.
Over the years, the exercise resulted in millions of subscribers linking their SIM cards with their National Identification Numbers, while telecom operators also deactivated millions of lines that failed to comply with regulatory directives.
Earlier, the NCC maintained that the policy was aimed at improving the integrity of Nigeria’s SIM registration database, strengthening identity verification and supporting security agencies in criminal investigations.
The regulator also described the exercise as an important component of the country’s digital economy and national security framework.
Telecommunications operators have consistently maintained that while they play a critical role in implementing the NIN-SIM linkage policy, they are not responsible for tracking criminals.
Quest Merchant Bank recently hosted the second edition of the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a high-performance workplace culture and advancing people-centric leadership practices.
The Study Mission serves as a collaborative learning platform that brings together Great Place to Work® Certified organizations to exchange insights, share best practices, and strengthen workplace cultures.
The event welcomed Human Resources leaders and representatives from FITC, Princeps Credit Systems, Tonic Technologies and Esentry Limited for an engaging and insightful session focused on building thriving workplace cultures, promoting continuous learning, and advancing employee-centric practices that drive organizational success.
Speaking at the event, Tolulope Dayo-Peters, Head of People Management, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in building sustainable workplace cultures.
“We are delighted to host the second edition of the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission. At Quest Merchant Bank, we believe building a great workplace is an ongoing journey rooted in trust, purposeful leadership, and a genuine commitment to our people.
“We are pleased to share the practices that have shaped our culture and look forward to more opportunities to learn and collaborate with like-minded organizations.”
Also speaking at the event, Afolabi Olorode, Acting Managing Director/CEO, Quest Merchant Bank Limited, highlighted the critical role workplace culture plays in driving long-term business success.
“We recognize that a strong workplace culture is fundamental to sustainable business success. Creating an environment where our people are empowered to grow, innovate, and perform at their best enables us to consistently deliver value to our clients and stakeholders. We are proud to support initiatives like the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission that encourage organizations to learn from one another and collectively raise the standard of workplace excellence in Nigeria.”
The Study Mission reinforced the importance of collaboration among organizations committed to creating exceptional employee experiences.
By providing a platform for open dialogue, peer learning, and the exchange of practical ideas, the initiative enabled participants to explore innovative approaches to employee engagement, organizational culture, leadership development, and talent management while strengthening a growing community of employers dedicated to workplace excellence.
Hosting the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission further strengthens Quest Merchant Bank’s position as a thought leader in workplace culture and talent management.
It also enhances the Bank’s employer brand and demonstrates its unwavering commitment to creating an environment where employees can grow, innovate, and achieve their full potential.
Quest Merchant Bank remains committed to championing initiatives that promote learning, innovation, and people-centric leadership. Through strategic partnerships and knowledge-sharing platforms such as the Great Place to Work® Nigeria Study Mission, the Bank continues to contribute to the advancement of exceptional workplace cultures and the future of work across Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has warned of possible floods in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno states within the next seven days.
According to information posted on NIHSA X handle, the Agency announced medium flood advisory in force for the next 7 days across Adamawa, Bauchi, and 11 other States.
“Localised inundation is forecast along the main channel; named communities below sit on the projected footprint. Stations: Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya river, Amber on the Amber river.
“Adamawa; Lemsa, Lamurde, Numan Exposure: 147 comm. 49 schis 40 hith 6 mkts17 relig. Bauchi-Bauchi, Ningi, Shira. Exposure: 4 comm. Kaduna; Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, +6 more. Exposure: 1 comm.
“Borno-Gubio, Mobbar. Exposure: 680 comm. 8 schls 6 hith 5 mkts 21 relig. Edo-Akoko-Ed, EtsakoEa, EtsakoWe, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmw, OviaNort, OviaSo.. Exposure: 3 comm.
“Imo-Aboh-Mba, Oguta, Ohaji/Eg, Okigwe, Owerri North, Owerri West. Exposure: 3 comm. 7 more states affected and severity LGAs”.
NIHSA advised people in the affected areas to “do NOT cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water on foot or by vehicle.
“Clear drainage channels and river-mouth blockages; avoid building or living in the floodplain and move people, livestock and valuables from the floodplain to pre-identified higher ground,” NIHSA stated.
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