The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a series of major upgrades to navigational and communication systems at airports across Nigeria, aimed at improving air safety and modernising aviation infrastructure.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Key approvals include the installation of an Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) in Lagos and Abuja airports to detect runway obstructions and enhance ground safety operations.
The council also approved the construction of new modular air traffic control towers at eight airports, alongside an aeronautical frequency monitoring and interference-detection system to strengthen communication reliability between ground controllers, tower personnel, and aircraft.
“Approval was given for the installation of an aeronautical frequency spectrum monitor and interference detection solution to improve communication during runway approaches and departures,” Keyamo said, noting that the system would provide more accurate guidance and enhance operational integrity.
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Additionally, the FEC sanctioned the procurement, replacement, and upgrade of remote-controlled air-ground VHF radio communication systems at nine airports, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Abuja, Kano, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Wukari, and a second site in Abuja.
President Tinubu also approved the rollout of biometric-enabled e-gates at all international airports to accelerate passenger processing and improve the travel experience.
Keyamo said the upgrades align with the president’s directive to modernise aviation facilities and ensure safer, more efficient air travel nationwide.