19th of April, 2026.

STRENGTHENING NIGERIA’S AIRSPACE: NAF AND NAMA BUILD NEXT-GENERATION AIR TRAFFIC AND RADAR EXPERTISE

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC), has reinforced its strategic role in enhancing Nigeria’s airspace safety and security with the graduation of the Maiden Air Traffic Control and Surveillance Radar Course (ACSR 1/2024) for 20 Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) ATCO cadets, alongside 29 Non-Commissioned Officers on Air Traffic Control Assistant/Base Operations Upgrading Course 9/2026. The graduation ceremony, held on 17 April 2026 at the ATSTC Parade Ground, was attended by senior military officers and civil aviation stakeholders. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by the Chief of Training, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Yusuf Dari, emphasized the critical importance of sustained collaboration between the NAF and NAMA. Similarly, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Farouk Ahmed Umar, represented by Alhaji Sa’id Musa, highlighted the value of the partnership in addressing capacity gaps in air traffic control within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

The comprehensive training, which spanned 65 weeks for the ACSR course and 4 weeks for the upgrading course, covered key operational areas including aerodrome control, approach procedural control, and advanced surveillance radar systems. These competencies are vital not only for ensuring safe and efficient civil aviation operations but also for strengthening national airspace management in support of ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations. Enhanced radar surveillance and air traffic control capabilities significantly improve situational awareness, coordination, and response effectiveness in complex operational environments. The Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal EP Efanga, further underscored the importance of sustained training excellence in building operational capacity for both military and civil aviation sectors.

In his remarks, the Commandant ATSTC, Air Vice Marshal NB Folaji, commended the graduates for their discipline and resilience, while reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to excellence in training. The NAF’s continued accreditation by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as an Approved Training Organization further underscores its dedication to delivering world-class, standardized aviation training. In line with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the Service remains committed to building a highly skilled, technologically proficient force capable of meeting evolving airpower demands. The vote of thanks was delivered by the Deputy Commandant, Group Captain US Maibuhu, marking yet another milestone in the NAF’s enduring contribution to national security, airspace governance, and sustainable development.

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