The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged swift action to close capacity gaps in Africa’s Air Traffic Management systems, emphasizing the need for strategic investment in human capital to enhance airspace safety across the continent.

Speaking at the 36th Africa and Middle East Regional Meeting of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Keyamo noted that the continent’s rising air traffic requires a well-trained, motivated, and adequately supported workforce to maintain safe and efficient operations.

The legal practitioner made disclosed this in a statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Moshiod, on Tuesday.

In his keynote address themed “Securing the Skies: Strengthening ATM Capacity through Strategic Recruitment, Training, and Retention,” the minister cautioned that the growth in Africa’s air traffic complexity is outpacing the development of its human resource capacity.

He said, “Across our region, we face rising complexity in operations and higher expectations from the travelling public. To meet these challenges, we must invest not only in technology but, even more importantly, in people. It is the professionalism, alertness, and dedication of Air Traffic Controllers that keep millions of passengers safe every single day.”

Keyamo reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing aviation safety and strengthening human capacity development in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated that the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, is upgrading the nation’s Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management systems, expanding training programmes for air traffic controllers, and introducing initiatives to promote mental wellbeing and mentorship among aviation personnel.

Keyamo also underscored Nigeria’s expanding collaboration with regional bodies such as BAGASOO to fast-track Air Navigation Service Provider certification, enhance safety oversight, and deepen a culture of safety across the continent.

He said, “Aviation is a shared ecosystem. Its strength lies in collaboration among states, regulators, ANSPs, and professional bodies like IFATCA.

“Our skies know no borders; therefore, our success must also be borderless and built on shared knowledge, shared responsibility, and shared resolve.”