| dc.description.abstract | The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has expressed serious concerns over the
deteriorating condition of Nigeria’s air traffic surveillance infrastructure, particularly the Total
Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system. Commissioned in the early 2000s and fully
deployed around 2010, the system was designed to provide nationwide radar coverage and ensure
real-time monitoring of aircraft movements. However, NAMA reports that the system has
exceeded its operational lifespan, with many components now obsolete and increasingly difficult
to replace due to a lack of spare parts. The Agency warns that the system is now at risk of partial
or total failure, raising significant concerns for aviation safety and Nigeria’s compliance with
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
In addition to infrastructure decay, NAMA has highlighted financial and operational constraints,
including deductions from internally generated revenue, rising operational costs, manpower
shortages, limited funding for upgrades, and outstanding debts owed by airlines and airport
operators. These challenges are weakening the Agency’s capacity to maintain and modernise critical
aviation safety infrastructure, thereby increasing operational risks within Nigeria’s airspace.
The potential failure of the TRACON system raises serious safety and regulatory concerns. As a
core component of air traffic surveillance, any disruption could reduce Nigeria’s ability to
effectively monitor and separate aircraft, particularly in busy air corridors. This may compromise
flight safety, increase operational risks, and affect Nigeria’s compliance with international aviation
standards. In addition, persistent infrastructure gaps could undermine global confidence in
Nigeria’s aviation sector, with possible implications for air traffic operations, insurance costs, and
airline competitiveness.
There are also concerns that without urgent investment and institutional reform, Nigeria may
struggle to maintain aviation safety certification standards, while financial constraints continue to
limit training, system upgrades, and operational resilience. The combination of ageing
infrastructure and funding limitations presents a systemic risk to the sustainability of air traffic
management in the country.
Given the strategic importance of aviation safety infrastructure, the National Assembly has a
critical oversight role to ensure that Nigeria’s airspace remains safe, modern, and compliant with
international standards. Legislative engagement is necessary to secure sustainable funding,
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strengthen institutional accountability, and prevent avoidable system failures that could endanger
lives and disrupt national and international aviation operations.
Accordingly, the National Assembly, through its Committees on Aviation, may consider the
following actions:
● Conduct an immediate oversight investigation by inviting NAMA to provide a detailed
briefing on the operational status and risks associated with the TRACON system.
● Mandate a comprehensive technical audit of all air traffic surveillance infrastructure and
require a phased modernisation and replacement roadmap.
● Review aviation funding arrangements, including revenue deductions, with consideration
for ring-fencing critical safety funds.
● Support enhanced funding for air traffic controller training and technical workforce
development to address manpower gaps.
● Assess debt recovery mechanisms within the aviation sector to strengthen financial
sustainability and operational efficiency. | en_US |
