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Aviation Minister Leads Nigeria’s Delegation To IFATCA Regional Meeting In Zimbabwe … Urges Strategic Investment In Human Capital To Secure Africa’s Skies
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN CON FCIArb (UK), has emphasized the urgent need for African nations to strengthen their Air Traffic Management (ATM) capacity through strategic recruitment, training, and retention of skilled personnel to ensure safer skies across the continent.
Delivering his keynote address at the Opening Ceremony of the 36th International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) Africa & Middle East Regional Meeting holding in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Keyamo highlighted the critical role of human capacity development in advancing airspace safety and operational efficiency.
These were contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, dated November 3.
Speaking under the conference theme — “Securing the Skies: Strengthening ATM Capacity through Strategic Recruitment, Training, and Retention,” — the Minister noted that as air traffic continues to expand across Africa, the demand for well-trained and well-motivated Air Traffic Controllers has reached an unprecedented level.
“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 stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening aviation safety and human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through a comprehensive 5-Point Aviation Agenda. The Minister disclosed that through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Government is:
Modernizing its Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems; expanding training pipelines for air traffic controllers; and institutionalizing programmes that support mental wellbeing and peer mentorship.
Keyamo also underscored Nigeria’s growing collaboration with BAGASOO and other regional institutions to fast-track ANSP certification, enhance safety oversight, and instill a robust safety culture across all facets of aviation operations.
“We must remember that 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 — built on shared knowledge, shared responsibility, and shared resolve,” the Minister added.
He commended IFATCA for its unwavering commitment to professionalism and for serving as a strong advocate for air traffic controllers worldwide. Keyamo also expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Zimbabwe, particularly his counterpart, the Honourable Felix Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, for the hospitality extended to all delegates and the excellent organization of the meeting.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries including: Hon. Felix Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development of Zimbabwe; Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Ghana; Gen. (Rtd.) Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport of the Republic of Uganda (represented by Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya, Deputy DG, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority).
Others are Ms. Helena Sjöström Falk, President of IFATCA; and Mr. Ahmad Abba, Executive Vice President, IFATCA Africa & Middle East, among others.
Concluding his address, the Aviation Minister called on all stakeholders to leave the conference with renewed determination to build a resilient, highly skilled, and motivated workforce capable of managing the complex skies of tomorrow with excellence, cooperation, and care.
“May our deliberations here translate into real actions that enhance capacity, strengthen cooperation, and secure a brighter future for aviation in Africa and the Middle East,” he concluded.
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