The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has announced plans by the Federal Government to review the retirement age of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) in Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in Abuja, Keyamo said the ministry would work closely with relevant authorities to ensure a successful review process.
Describing NATCA as “the apple of the eye of aviation,” the minister assured the association of the government’s full support to enable them to perform their critical role of ensuring airspace safety effectively.
“I listened to his speech on the age of retirement of Air Traffic Controllers, and I think I am convinced it is something I can take up,” Keyamo said.
He noted that if pilots are permitted to fly until the age of 65, there should be no reason Air Traffic Controllers cannot also serve until that age.
Keyamo further pledged to meet with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry to study the proposal and secure approval for the upward review, adding that the country is currently short of Air Traffic Controllers and needs to bridge the manpower gap.
In his welcome address, NATCA President, Mr Amos Edino, said the wave of retirements, migration of skilled professionals abroad (the “Japa” trend), and inter-agency transfers have severely impacted performance within the sector.
Edino warned that if decisive measures were not taken, projections indicate that byn 2030, the Air Traffic Controller workforce could decline by up to 70 percent despite the expected growth in aviation activities.
He therefore reiterated the association’s demand for a review and upward adjustment of the retirement age to 65 years, in line with global standards and other critical professions.
Highlighting recent achievements, Edino disclosed that over 150 controllers received international training in areas such as Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), On-the-Job Training Instruction (OJTI), Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Fundamentals, and Search and Rescue.
Additionally, more than 300 controllers benefitted from new domestic training programmes initiated by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
Edino commended the government for approving a long-awaited salary adjustment for Air Traffic Controllers in NAMA, which was signed in August 2025 and implemented in September.
“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.
He also noted that NAMA, through the Directorate of Air Traffic Services (DATS), had commenced the distribution of secured warm clothing for controllers while continuing to address the persistent manpower shortages affecting air navigation efficiency and safety.
The 54th NATCA AGM was themed “The Human Edge: Capacity Building in the Next Generation Air Traffic Management.”