Keyamo Tasks NCAT As Africa Targets 4,203 Air Traffic Controllers By 2037

The minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has tasked the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, Kaduna State, to develop innovative solutions to accelerate the training of new and proficient air traffic controllers as Africa is expected to have 4,203 new air traffic controllers by 2037.

The minister stated this at the 34th IFATAC Africa and Middle East Regional meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, the minister, who said the target of 4,203 new air traffic controllers was a projection of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), also stated that the
ministry will, undoubtedly, continue to provide all the necessary support to NCAT to ensure that it meets and exceeds its statutory responsibilities and functions.

According to Keyamo, “ICAO projects that by the year 2037, Africa will require 4,203 new air traffic controllers. The onus rests on the Aviation College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) to develop innovative ideas solutions to accelerate the training of new and proficient air traffic controllers.”

The minister, represented by the acting director, Air Safety and Administration, Michael Chiko, also said: “The profession of air traffic control has evolved rapidly, transitioning from simple flag signalling to sophisticated technologies. This evolution facilitates management of the surging number of aircraft traversing our
skies daily.

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“As a vital, indispensable component of air safety, air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic. Therefore, I am not unaware of the critical role you play and invariably, the heavy burden you bear. This burden is compounded by increased air traffic, workforce shortages, technological shifts; necessitating rigorous training regimes.

“More so, with the emergence of unmanned aerial vehicles, reshaping dynamics and challenging the norm, it is thus paramount to prepare for the future and indeed Nigeria like other countries must prepare for the future.”

Also speaking at the event, the managing director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Mohammed Odunowo, who was represented by Mr. Lawrence Pwajok, said: “the theme of the 34th IFATCA Africa and Middle East Regional meeting titled ‘Shaping the Future: Trends and Insights On ATC Training for Tomorrow’ is very appropriate at this time as air traffic control reaches a major turning point with the celebration of 100 years in existence. A historical look at what air traffic control was a 100 years ago at Croydon airport where history recorded air traffic control first started, and a look at what air traffic control is today at modern day airports like Dubai, Istanbul, JFK, Charles De Gaulle etc, will give us a glimpse of what a future air traffic control system would
look like in the next 100 years.

“It is obvious that the future air traffic management system will be characterised by extensive application of automation, digitization and artificial intelligence.”