Agency warns obsolete TRACON infrastructure could weaken flight safety, air traffic control, and national aviation security without urgent upgrades.

Nigeria’s ability to effectively monitor aircraft within its airspace is under serious threat as critical radar systems approach the end of their operational lifespan, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has warned.

The agency raised concerns that the country’s surveillance infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating, with key components becoming obsolete and increasingly unreliable. This, officials say, could significantly undermine flight safety, disrupt air traffic control operations, and expose the nation to aviation security risks.

At the centre of the concern is the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system—introduced to ensure seamless, real-time tracking of aircraft nationwide. Experts now caution that unless urgent steps are taken to upgrade or replace ageing components, Nigeria could begin to experience dangerous gaps in radar coverage.

Industry stakeholders emphasise that modern aviation depends heavily on advanced radar and satellite-based navigation systems to maintain safe aircraft separation, optimise routing, and respond swiftly to emergencies. With air traffic steadily increasing, any lapse in surveillance capability could have far-reaching consequences.

The development has intensified calls for the Federal Government to fast-track investment in aviation infrastructure, as failure to act promptly could disrupt both domestic and international flight operations and erode confidence in Nigeria’s airspace management system.