The Federal Government has announced plans to review the retirement age of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) in Nigeria upward, as part of efforts to address manpower shortages and strengthen airspace management across the country.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), disclosed this on Tuesday while declaring open the 54th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) held in Abuja.
Keyamo said the ministry is considering an upward review of the retirement age to ensure that experienced professionals remain in service long enough to mentor younger controllers and sustain operational efficiency.
“I listened to the speech on the retirement age of Air Traffic Controllers, and I am convinced it is something I can take up,” Keyamo said.
“If pilots can fly at the age of 65 years, there is no reason Air Traffic Controllers cannot push for 65 years.”
The Minister described NATCA as the “apple of the eye of aviation”, assuring members of government’s support to enhance their welfare, training, and working conditions.
He further pledged to meet with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry to review the proposal and seek the necessary approvals.
In his welcome address, NATCA President, Mr. Amos Edino, commended the government’s consideration of the age review, noting that manpower shortages continue to challenge the sector.
According to him, the combined effect of retirements, professional migration abroad (the “Japa” trend), and inter-agency transfers has significantly reduced the number of qualified controllers available to manage Nigeria’s increasingly busy airspace.
“If decisive measures are not taken, projections indicate that by 2030, the Air Traffic Controller workforce could decline sharply, potentially widening the manpower gap by up to 70%,” Edino warned.
He emphasized that raising the retirement age to 65 years, similar to other critical professions, would help sustain operational safety and capacity.
Edino revealed that more than 150 controllers have received international training in areas such as PBN, CPDLC, OJTI, UA Fundamentals, Search and Rescue, and UTM Airspace Integration.
Additionally, over 300 controllers benefited from the first-ever domestic training programs initiated by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
He also confirmed that the long-awaited salary adjustment for Air Traffic Controllers in NAMA was signed in August 2025 and implemented in September, calling for its extension to controllers in other aviation agencies.
“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,” Edino added.
The NATCA President further disclosed that NAMA, through its Directorate of Air Traffic Services (DATS), has commenced the distribution of secured warm clothing to support personnel on duty in remote or cold environments.
Despite these gains, Edino highlighted persistent challenges related to manpower shortages, stressing that they continue to affect the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of air navigation services in Nigeria.
The 54th NATCA Annual General Meeting was themed:
“The Human Edge: Capacity Building in the Next Generation Air Traffic Management.”
