To bridge the manpower gaps in the country’s airspace management and development, the Federal Government has disclosed that it will review the retirement age of Air Traffic Controllers .
Speaking while declaring open the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in Abuja, themed ‘The Human Edge : Capacity Building in the Next Generation Air Traffic Management’, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo said the ministry would collaborate with relevant authorities to facilitate a successful review process.
According to him, the retirement age may be reviewed upward in order to ensure experienced hands and personnel are maximized and allowed to pass their experience to the younger generation.
Keyamo noted that if pilots are permitted to operate until the age of 65, Air Traffic Controllers should be granted the same extension, given the critical nature of their duties in maintaining flight safety.
He assured the association that he would meet with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry to carefully review the retirement age proposal and obtain approval for the upward adjustment.
The Minister described NATCA as the “Apple of the Eye of Aviation,” acknowledging their vital role in ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s skies.
He added that the sector is currently short of qualified controllers, making the review of the retirement age necessary to bridge existing manpower gaps and allow senior professionals to mentor younger ones.
In his welcome address, the President of NATCA, Mr Amos Edino revealed that the wave of retirements and the migration of skilled professionals abroad and inter-agency transfers driven by the search for better opportunities have greatly affected their performance.
According to him, current projections indicate that if decisive measures are not taken, by 2030, despite the expected growth in national aviation activities, the Air Traffic Controller workforce could decline sharply, potentially widening the manpower gap by up to 70%.
He then called for a review and upward adjustment of the retirement age for Air Traffic Controllers to 65 years ,aligning with other critical professions.
He remarked that over 150 controllers received international training in PBN, CPDLC, OJTI, UA Fundamentals, and UTM Airspace Integration, search and rescue among others.
Edino also revealed that over 300 controllers benefited from the first-ever domestic training programs initiated in Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
He stated that the long-awaited salary adjustment for Air Traffic Controllers in NAMA was signed in August 2025 and commenced implementation in September.
Edino further revealed that the NAMA Management through the Directorate of Air Traffic Services (DATS), commenced distribution of secured warm clothing for Air Traffic Controllers.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by Air Traffic Controllers with persistent manpower shortages, a challenge he remarked, continued to impact the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of air navigation services.
“This landmark achievement should, in due course, be extended to other agencies housing Air Traffic Controllers, ensuring equity and uniform recognition of our professional value across the aviation sector” he said.
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