The Federal Government has announced plans to review the retirement age of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) in Nigeria, aiming to retain experienced professionals and strengthen airspace safety management across the nation.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), made this known during the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) held in Abuja. He noted that the review is part of broader reforms to address manpower challenges in the aviation sector.

According to the Minister, the proposed policy would align the retirement age of ATCs with that of pilots, which currently stands at 65 years. This move, he said, would allow experienced controllers to continue contributing to the system while mentoring younger officers.

“The government recognizes the invaluable expertise of our air traffic controllers. We will carefully study NATCA’s proposal for an upward review and engage relevant authorities to ensure its proper implementation,” Keyamo stated.

NATCA has long advocated for the extension, citing increasing retirements, inter-agency transfers, and the migration of skilled professionals abroad popularly known as the “Japa” syndrome as factors deepening the shortage of qualified personnel.

A recent projection by the association warned that if no action is taken, Nigeria could face a 70% manpower gap in air traffic control by 2030, posing potential risks to the efficiency and safety of flight operations.

Industry experts have welcomed the government’s consideration, emphasizing that retaining senior controllers would help maintain operational stability and facilitate the training of younger staff. However, they also called for regular medical evaluations to ensure controllers remain fit for duty as they age.

The Ministry of Aviation is expected to commence inter-agency consultations soon, after which a formal proposal will be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.