Nigeria is experiencing a shortfall in the number of air traffic engineers needed to keep operations running to the best of their abilities, according to an industry body.

The National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) has said that those currently working in the role are tired with resources stretched due to the lack of qualified workers in the sector.

President of the NAAE Ifeanyi Nwankwo told journalists in Lagos airport that the current workers sometimes put in around 12 to 24 hours in an attempt to cover the deficit, tribune.com.ng reported.

Speaking on the overall situation of Nigerian air hubs, he said: "We are getting there, but we still have to do more if we have to keep our airspace safe. Our policy makers are doing well but we still have to do more so as to keep pace with the rest of the world."

Lagos airport is Nigeria's largest and sees more than four million passengers on a yearly basis.