Nigeria’s aviation industry is facing fresh concerns as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) warns that ageing radar infrastructure could undermine the country’s ability to effectively oversee its airspace.
Air traffic controllers who depend on the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system have raised increasing doubts about its dependability.
At a meeting with Mahmoud Kambari, Managing Director of NAMA, Farouk Umar, described the TRACON infrastructure as outdated and below acceptable standards.
According to a report, the TRACON project launched in 2001 was developed as a nationwide radar surveillance system intended to provide full airspace monitoring across Nigeria.
For many years, the system served as the backbone of air traffic control, enabling real-time aircraft tracking and improving operational safety.
Although once regarded as the core of Nigeria’s air navigation surveillance network, the system is now said to have significantly degraded in performance and reliability.
Speaking on the state of the infrastructure, Mr. Umar said urgent attention is needed for air traffic surveillance, warning that the ageing TRACON system is becoming increasingly obsolete.
He explained that many components are no longer manufactured, spare parts are scarce, and several parts are operating without backups, putting surveillance coverage at risk.
According to him, although the system was installed between 2008 and 2010, it has long exceeded its expected service lifespan.
He added that such high-tech systems typically last about a decade, noting that since 2014 the technology has been gradually phased out globally as countries upgrade to more advanced systems.
Mr. Umar further warned that without reliable surveillance, maintaining safe separation between aircraft becomes more difficult, increasing operational risks within the aviation sector.
He also cautioned that Nigeria could struggle to comply with international aviation standards, particularly those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, if urgent upgrades are not undertaken.
Beyond technical concerns, he highlighted financial constraints as a major obstacle, noting that funding shortages are limiting the agency’s ability to modernise critical systems.
He pointed out that a 30% deduction from NAMA’s internally generated revenue by the Federal Government is affecting its capacity to meet essential obligations.
Mr. Umar also lamented that current charges, including N11,000 per aircraft flight fee since 2008, are no longer sustainable, but efforts to review them face resistance.
He stressed that maintaining aviation safety systems requires adequate funding to support equipment maintenance and upgrades.
Additionally, he cited workforce shortages and limited training opportunities as further challenges weakening operational efficiency.
In response, Mahmoud Kambari reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening the aviation sector and aligning it with global best practices.
He assured that collaboration with relevant agencies would continue, stressing that Nigeria’s aviation industry must remain a strong economic contributor and an important hub for international connectivity.