By ifeoma Onyekachi

Nigeria’s airspace surveillance capability is under serious threat as critical radar infrastructure deployed under the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) project approaches full obsolescence, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has warned.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, raised the alarm during a familiarisation visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mahmoud Adam Kambari, to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

He disclosed that the TRACON system—once a cornerstone of Nigeria’s aviation safety architecture—has significantly exceeded its operational lifespan, with many of its components now outdated and increasingly difficult to maintain due to the unavailability of spare parts.

According to him, most modern aviation systems have a lifecycle of about ten years, adding that Nigeria’s radar technology has lagged behind global advancements since around 2014, when several countries transitioned to more sophisticated surveillance platforms.

“The TRACON system has aged. Key components are now obsolete, with no spare parts and limited redundancy. This poses a real risk to sustained airspace surveillance,” he said.

Originally commissioned in 2001 as a multi-billion-naira initiative, the TRACON project integrates Primary and Secondary Surveillance Radar systems across multiple locations nationwide, enabling real-time aircraft tracking and identification. However, its declining efficiency now raises concerns about Nigeria’s ability to maintain safe and reliable air navigation services in line with international standards.

Beyond infrastructure challenges, Umar highlighted persistent financial and operational constraints affecting the agency. These include inadequate government funding for safety-critical upgrades, rising operational costs driven by currency depreciation, and a 30 percent deduction from NAMA’s internally generated revenue by the Federal Government.

He also criticised the agency’s outdated tariff regime, noting that airlines still pay a flat rate of ₦11,000 per flight—unchanged since 2008—despite significant economic shifts.

“Efforts to review these charges often face resistance, yet operational costs continue to rise, particularly in fuel and maintenance,” he added.

Additional pressures include manpower shortages, limited training opportunities due to funding gaps, and growing debts owed by airlines and some airport authorities.

In response, the Permanent Secretary, Mahmoud Adam Kambari, assured that the Ministry is committed to working closely with aviation agencies to address the challenges and strengthen the sector.

He stressed the need for coordinated policy direction, improved funding mechanisms, and sustained investment in both infrastructure and human capital development.

“We will continue to support aviation agencies to ensure safety, efficiency, and Nigeria’s position as a key player in global air transport,” Kambari said.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s current safety rating by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), he urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to sustain and improve compliance with global benchmarks.

Industry analysts warn that without urgent intervention including the upgrade or replacement of ageing radar systems Nigeria risks compromising airspace safety, operational efficiency, and international credibility.

The NAMA alert underscores the pressing need for strategic investment and policy reforms to safeguard the country’s aviation infrastructure and ensure continued confidence in its air navigation services.