Assessment of Occupational Stress Among Air Traffic Controllers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

Air traffic control is one of the most psychologically demanding occupations globally, given the complex cognitive demands, safety-critical decision-making, and shift work involved. This study assessed the level and sources of occupational stress among air traffic controllers (ATCs) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 85 ATCs using the Occupational Stress Index and a structured occupational context questionnaire. Results showed that 72.9 percent of respondents reported moderate to high occupational stress levels, with responsibility for human safety (91.8%), time pressure (84.7%), and irregular shift patterns (78.8%) being the most consistently cited sources. Burnout indicators were present in 58.8 percent of participants, with emotional exhaustion most prominent. Sleep disturbances were reported by 67.1 percent of ATCs, particularly those on rotating night shifts. Secondary health effects including tension headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms, and hypertension were reported by 52.9 percent. Organizational support and peer camaraderie were identified as significant stress-buffering factors. The study recommends the institutionalization of a comprehensive employee assistance program for FAAN aviation personnel, regular psychological fitness assessments for ATCs, and research into optimal shift scheduling models for Nigerian aviation environments. Keywords: occupational stress, air traffic controllers, aviation health, burnout, Lagos Airport.