Aviation Controllers Sound Alarm Over Failing Air Traffic Systems Amid N2.9bn Missing Funds Scandal
The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of the country's air traffic management infrastructure, citing obsolete systems and poor working conditions as direct threats to aviation safety. This urgent alert coincides with a demand from the Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for President Bola Tinubu to probe the alleged disappearance of N2.9 billion in public funds from the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).
NATCA Highlights Critical Safety Failures and Operational Strain
In a joint statement released by NATCA President Amos Edino and General Secretary Fahad Umar, the association detailed how outdated Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) equipment at airports nationwide is compromising operational integrity. They emphasized that air traffic controllers are operating under intense pressure due to inadequate tools, severe manpower shortages, and unresolved welfare issues, stretching them beyond safe limits.
The cumulative effect of these challenges has raised serious concerns about the reliability of Nigeria's airspace management, with NATCA stressing that their position is driven by safety imperatives rather than sentiment. The association also pointed to a significant gap in training and manpower development, warning that insufficient investment by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) could weaken operational resilience and reduce the pipeline of competent controllers needed for the growing aviation sector.
SERAP Calls for Accountability in N2.9bn Missing Funds Case
Simultaneously, SERAP has urged President Tinubu to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, along with the Attorney General and anti-corruption agencies, to investigate the whereabouts of the alleged missing or diverted N2.9 billion from NIGCOMSAT and NNRA. The allegations, documented in the Auditor-General's latest yearly report from September 9, 2025, include an unauthorized investment of N465 million by NIGCOMSAT to an undisclosed company.
In a letter signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization described these allegations as a grave violation of public trust and a fundamental breach of Nigeria's anti-corruption laws and international obligations. SERAP emphasized that ensuring accountability is essential to protecting the nation's future, calling for full disclosure of shareholders and beneficial owners involved in the questionable transactions.
Stakeholders Warn of Broader Implications for Aviation and Public Trust
Both NATCA and SERAP have underscored the urgent need for intervention to address these systemic issues. NATCA warned that continued neglect of infrastructure, welfare, and staffing could have serious implications for passenger safety and the broader aviation ecosystem. Meanwhile, SERAP's probe demand highlights ongoing concerns about financial mismanagement in critical public institutions, potentially eroding confidence in governance.
The convergence of these warnings from aviation professionals and anti-corruption advocates paints a troubling picture of Nigeria's aviation sector and public accountability mechanisms. As stakeholders await government action, the calls for reform and transparency grow louder, with the safety of air travelers and the integrity of public funds hanging in the balance.
