The federal government is considering raising the retirement age for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) to 65 years as a strategic move to address the shortage of skilled personnel in the nation’s airspace management and aviation sector.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced this initiative on Tuesday, emphasizing that extending the retirement age would allow the aviation industry to retain seasoned professionals who can mentor and transfer their expertise to emerging talent.
During the inauguration of the 54th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) held in Abuja, Keyamo pledged collaboration with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the successful implementation of this policy change.
He praised NATCA as a vital pillar of the aviation industry, underscoring their critical role in maintaining airspace safety, and assured them of unwavering governmental support to enhance their operational effectiveness.
“After considering the discussions on extending the retirement age for air traffic controllers, I am convinced this is a viable proposal worth pursuing,” the minister remarked.
Keyamo pointed out that since pilots are permitted to serve until 65, it is reasonable for air traffic controllers to have the same retirement threshold, given their essential responsibilities.
He committed to consulting with the ministry’s permanent secretary to thoroughly evaluate the proposal and secure the necessary approvals for the age extension.
The minister also highlighted the current deficit in the air traffic controller workforce, stressing the urgency to close this gap to maintain safe and efficient air navigation services.
For some time, air traffic controllers have advocated for the retirement age to be increased to 65 years.
In his opening remarks, NATCA President Amos Edino addressed the challenges posed by a wave of retirements, the emigration of skilled personnel, and transfers to other agencies in pursuit of better prospects, all of which have adversely affected operational capacity.
He warned that without prompt intervention, the number of air traffic controllers could drastically decline by 2030, even as the aviation sector is projected to expand, potentially resulting in a manpower shortfall of up to 70 percent.
Edino urged for an official revision of the retirement age to 65, aligning air traffic controllers with other key professions that have similar age limits.
He also highlighted that over 300 controllers have benefited from Nigeria Airspace Management Agency’s (NAMA) inaugural domestic training programs, marking a significant step in capacity building.
Additionally, Edino announced that a long-awaited salary adjustment for air traffic controllers within NAMA was approved in August 2025 and began implementation in September, a milestone he hopes will be extended to controllers in other agencies to ensure fair compensation across the sector.
“This achievement sets a precedent that should be mirrored across all agencies employing air traffic controllers, promoting equity and acknowledging the professional contributions of our members,” he stated.
Furthermore, Edino revealed that NAMA’s Directorate of Air Traffic Services (DATS) has started distributing insulated warm clothing to controllers, addressing their welfare needs during challenging working conditions.
He concluded by reiterating the persistent manpower shortages as a critical challenge that continues to affect the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of air navigation services nationwide.
