The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently overhaul the country’s air traffic communication and surveillance systems, warning that obsolete infrastructure and coverage gaps pose challenges to airspace safety.

NATCA President, Amos Edino in an address at the celebration of International Air Traffic Controllers Day and the commissioning of the association’s guest house in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said Nigeria’s surveillance systems remained largely obsolete, while its very high frequency (VHF) communication infrastructure was inadequate.

He stressed that modernising the facilities was essential to protecting the flying public and improving air traffic management across the country.

“Our surveillance system remains largely obsolete, with gaps in coverage. Our VHF communication is not what it should be in 2026,” Edino said.

The NATCA president said the association would continue to press for government intervention to ensure a comprehensive upgrade of the systems, emphasising that the demand was driven by safety considerations rather than the interests of air traffic controllers alone.

The event, held under the theme, “Behind Every Safe Flight Is a Dedicated Air Traffic Controller,” also featured the commissioning of NATCA’s nine-room guest house in Port Harcourt.

The facility, comprising en-suite rooms, is designed to provide temporary accommodation and relaxation space for air traffic controllers, staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other aviation stakeholders visiting the city.

According to him, the project is expected to ease accommodation challenges faced by personnel during training, postings and transit.

He described the guest house as a demonstration of what the association could achieve through unity and a shared vision, while appreciating the NATCA National Executive Council, the Port Harcourt Guest House Project Committee, the zonal vice-president, the Port Harcourt chapter chairman and the Airspace Manager for their contributions.

Edino also commended the project manager, Mr Samuel Oguniyi, for his commitment and sacrifices towards the completion of the facility.

The association, he said, was committed to making the guest house fully operational by the first week of December 2026.

The NATCA president expressed hope that the project would pave the way for similar initiatives in other parts of the country, including Lagos, Abuja and Kano.

He further appealed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), through the airport manager, to make the tennis court and swimming pool facilities within the Port Harcourt airport environment available to the association.

Edino said access to recreational facilities would help air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel relax and recharge after demanding duty periods.

The president congratulated Nigerian air traffic controllers on the international celebration, commending their professionalism, sacrifice and commitment to maintaining safety in the nation’s airspace.

He noted that air traffic control remained one of the most demanding professions in aviation, requiring round-the-clock service and exceptional attention to safety.

The celebration brought together NAMA management, led by its managing director, the Director of Air Traffic Services, general managers, aviation stakeholders, past NATCA presidents and air traffic controllers.

The address underscored two priorities for Nigeria’s air traffic control sector: modernising critical safety infrastructure and improving the welfare of the professionals responsible for keeping aircraft safely separated in the skies.