By Milcah Tanimu
Nigerian airspace once had a dire reputation, ranking among the worst in Africa between 1999 and 2005. During this period, frequent air crashes made air travel in the country a harrowing experience. The issues were not solely due to insufficient radar coverage but were part of a broader infrastructure decay within the country’s aviation sector.
For many years, outdated and inadequate navigational facilities posed significant risks to air travellers. Pilots expressed frustration over poor navigational aids at most airports, while aerodromes suffered from neglect, poor planning, and corruption.
While not all navigational issues have been resolved, significant progress has been made, notably with a recent N40 billion intervention fund introduced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN). This fund aims to address some of the persistent problems inherited by the current administration.
The safety of Nigeria’s airspace remains a crucial topic, with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) continually assuring the public of ongoing improvements. One notable achievement was the installation of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) in 2011, a major step in modernizing Nigeria’s air traffic management infrastructure.
TRACON includes advanced systems like Primary Surveillance Radar STAR 2000 and Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar RSM 970S, covering key airports in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt, and additional locations such as Maiduguri, Ilorin, Numan, Obubra, and Talata Mafar. This system ensures comprehensive monitoring of Nigerian airspace, making it nearly impossible for any aircraft to go undetected.
However, investigative journalist David Hundeyin recently alleged that Nigeria has lacked primary radar coverage since 2021, citing a letter from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority dated April 16, 2024, which mentioned an unknown aircraft over the Presidential Villa. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, through its Managing Director Umar Farouk, refuted these claims, asserting that Nigeria’s airspace is fully covered by radar. Farouk emphasized that ongoing upgrades and modernization efforts are ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic management services.
Farouk acknowledged challenges such as outdated equipment and the high cost of spare parts but highlighted that significant strides have been made, with 80% of necessary replacements completed. The Federal Executive Council has approved further modernization of the TRACON system, with funding and contractor work underway to restore optimal performance.
In January, Keyamo met with Thales, a renowned global air surveillance provider, to discuss upgrading Nigeria’s radar system. The planned TRACON upgrade, estimated to cost N23 billion, along with other projects like the Safe Tower Project and the Wide Area Multilateration System for the Gulf of Guinea, reflect ongoing efforts to enhance air safety.
Thales has a history of successful radar system installations worldwide, including at major airports like London Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle. The Vice President of Thales, Lionel DE Castellane, emphasized the urgency of upgrading Nigeria’s radar facilities, especially at major airports. The first phase of the TRACON project, 80% complete, is scheduled for completion by May 2024, with discussions on financing subsequent phases ongoing.
