Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on African nations to modernise their Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems and prioritise the training and retention of skilled air traffic controllers.
He made the appeal at the opening of the 36th International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) Africa and Middle East Regional Meeting held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the minister said the theme of the conference, “Securing the Skies: Strengthening ATM Capacity through Strategic Recruitment, Training, and Retention,” highlights the urgent need for African countries to build human and technical capacity in aviation management.
Keyamo noted that with air traffic expanding rapidly across Africa, the demand for highly trained and motivated air traffic controllers has reached record levels.
He said, “Across our region, we face rising complexity in operations and higher expectations from travellers. To meet these challenges, we must invest not only in technology but, even more importantly, in people. The professionalism, alertness, and dedication of air traffic controllers keep millions of passengers safe every day.”
He emphasised that aviation operates as a shared ecosystem requiring strong collaboration among states, regulators, service providers, and professional bodies such as IFATCA. “Our skies know no borders; our success must also be borderless — built on shared knowledge, shared responsibility, and shared resolve,” he added.
Keyamo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to aviation safety and human capital development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes a comprehensive 5-Point Aviation Agenda.
He said through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the government is modernising its Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems, expanding training opportunities for controllers, and establishing programmes to support mental health and peer mentorship.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s collaboration with BAGASOO and other regional bodies to enhance Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) certification, strengthen safety oversight, and promote a robust safety culture across the sector.
Keyamo commended IFATCA for its commitment to professionalism and advocacy for air traffic controllers worldwide. He also thanked the government and people of Zimbabwe, especially Transport Minister Felix Mhona, for hosting the meeting and providing warm hospitality.
He concluded by urging stakeholders to leave the conference with renewed determination to build a resilient, skilled, and motivated workforce capable of managing the evolving airspace with excellence and cooperation.
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