The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI) has called on the Federal Government to
immediately release the outstanding entitlements owed to more than 4,000 former employees
of the defunct Nigeria Airways, describing the prolonged delay as a grave injustice to
workers who devoted their careers to serving the nation.
The demand comes years after the Federal Government paid 50 per cent of the workers’
severance packages in 2018, amounting to about N36 billion. Despite repeated assurances
from successive administrations, the remaining balance has yet to be paid, leaving many
former employees in financial hardship.
In a statement issued by the President of ASRTI, Mr Ademola Onitiju, the aviation advocacy
group expressed concern over the welfare of the affected workers, many of whom are
reportedly battling age-related illnesses and economic difficulties while awaiting the payment
of their benefits.
According to the organisation, the delay has negatively impacted the lives of former workers
who dedicated their productive years to building Nigeria’s aviation industry and the national
carrier before its eventual collapse.
ASRTI noted that several retirees have continued to struggle with medical conditions such as
hypertension, diabetes and other health challenges, while also facing difficulties meeting
basic financial obligations.
The group recalled that during the centenary celebration marking 100 years of civil aviation
in Nigeria in December 2025, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus
Keyamo, announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the outstanding
entitlements.
However, months after the announcement, the former employees are yet to receive the
balance of their severance packages.
Onitiju urged the relevant government agencies to commence the payment process without
further delay, stressing that the continued postponement undermines confidence in
government commitments and obligations to retired public servants.
He further called for accountability, insisting that any official responsible for delaying or
obstructing the payment process should be identified and sanctioned in accordance with
public service regulations.
The organisation maintained that settling the outstanding benefits would not only bring relief
to the affected workers and their families but would also demonstrate the government’s
commitment to fairness and the welfare of retired employees.
Stakeholders in the aviation sector have repeatedly called for the resolution of the matter,
arguing that the former Nigeria Airways workers deserve closure after waiting many years for
the full payment of their entitlements.
