Nigeria’s aviation sector returned to normalcy as employees of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) suspended their industrial action following successful negotiations with the Federal Government.
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On Wednesday, the workers had commenced an indefinite strike over several welfare issues, including NiMet’s alleged refusal to implement agreed financial allowances and unresolved entitlements such as wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.
The labour action, which had caused significant disruption to air travel across the country, was called off last night after a closed-door meeting between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and executives of NiMet.
Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Gbenga Saka, confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that the aviation union was going to suspend the ongoing strike “tonight.” According to union sources, the strike has been suspended for two weeks to allow implementation of the agreements reached.
Before the resolution, the industrial action had forced Air Peace to ground all flight operations nationwide due to the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports essential for safe landings.
During a briefing in Abuja yesterday, Minister Keyamo disclosed that a consensus was reached on most issues presented by the unions. He noted that many grievances stemmed from miscommunication and delays in implementing reforms previously approved by the former aviation minister, Prof. Babalola Aborisade.
“We identified with their struggles. These are legitimate demands, and there was really no contention on most of them,” Keyamo said. “Our workers at NiMet have been patient, and they deserve better. We’ve resolved to take immediate action.”
The workers had also accused NiMet’s management of withholding important documents, ignoring requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes in favour of executive retreats.
Industry observers anticipate that the two-week suspension period will provide sufficient time for the government to address the workers’ concerns while ensuring uninterrupted weather services crucial for aviation safety.
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