The Federal Executive Council has approved a nationwide upgrade of remote-controlled Very High Frequency radio systems across major airports, a move aimed at improving communication reliability and strengthening air safety.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the decision after the council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja. He said the approval aligns with the government’s plan to modernise aviation infrastructure and ensure safer and more efficient flight operations.
According to Keyamo, the upgrade will cover nine airports and installations. Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Kano, Maiduguri, Sokoto and Wukari are included, along with an additional VHF site within the Abuja area.
The minister explained that the VHF systems remain essential for clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers during takeoff, landing and en-route operations. He noted that some of the existing equipment had become unreliable and required full replacement or technical enhancement.
Aviation authorities expect the modernised systems to reduce communication gaps, improve situational awareness for flight crews and strengthen the overall safety architecture of Nigeria’s airspace.
