Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing mounting safety concerns as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has issued a stark warning: the country risks losing reliable surveillance of aircraft in its airspace due to critically outdated radar systems.
The alert was sounded by NAMA Managing Director, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, during a briefing for the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmoud Adam Kambari, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
At the heart of the issue is the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system, once the backbone of the nation’s air traffic surveillance. Deployed between 2008 and 2010, the system has far exceeded its expected operational lifespan of about ten years. Many of its components are now obsolete, spare parts are difficult or impossible to source, and several units are operating without backups.
“Our area of urgent attention includes the air traffic surveillance service. The TRACON system has aged. Components are becoming obsolete with no spare parts, and most parts are working without backup. The airspace is at risk of losing surveillance service,” Umar stated.
TRACON integrates Primary and Secondary Surveillance Radars across key locations including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt. When fully functional, it significantly enhanced Nigeria’s ability to monitor and control air traffic in real time. However, experts note that the technology has been largely phased out globally since around 2014, with many countries adopting more advanced systems.
The deterioration raises fears that Nigeria could fall short of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards if urgent upgrades are not implemented. Without reliable radar coverage, air traffic controllers would face greater challenges in maintaining safe separation between aircraft, especially in Nigeria’s busy upper airspace, which serves as a major transit corridor for regional and international flights.
NAMA has previously highlighted the need for modernisation of both surveillance and communication infrastructure. The agency is reportedly exploring options for a more robust, dual surveillance system to safeguard the country’s airspace in the long term.
Aviation stakeholders have described the situation as critical and are calling for swift government intervention to prevent potential disruptions to flight safety and Nigeria’s reputation as a regional aviation hub.
As air traffic volumes continue to grow, the race is now on to replace the ageing TRACON infrastructure before Nigeria’s ability to safely monitor its skies is further compromised.
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