Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged African governments and aviation stakeholders to address critical human capacity gaps in Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems across the continent.
Speaking at the 36th IFATCA Africa and Middle East Regional Meeting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Keyamo emphasised the need for strategic investment in recruitment, training, and retention of air traffic controllers to ensure safe and efficient skies.
Delivering his keynote on the theme “Securing the Skies,” Keyamo warned that Africa’s air traffic complexity is outpacing its human resource development. He stressed that while technology is vital, the professionalism and alertness of air traffic controllers are the backbone of aviation safety.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Keyamo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to modernising its Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/ATM systems, expanding controller training, and supporting mental health and mentorship initiatives. He also highlighted Nigeria’s partnerships with regional bodies like BAGASOO to accelerate ANSP certification and strengthen safety oversight.
“Aviation is a shared ecosystem. Our skies know no borders, and our success must be built on shared knowledge and responsibility,” Keyamo said, urging stakeholders to turn conference discussions into actionable strategies.
The meeting gathered top aviation officials from across Africa and the Middle East, including representatives from Ghana, Uganda, and IFATCA leadership. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Air Traffic Controllers’ Association has called for improved welfare and an extension of the retirement age to 65—a proposal the Federal Government is now reviewing.
