A major disruption in Nigeria’s aviation sector appears imminent as four key workers’ unions have declared a total withdrawal of services beginning Monday, August 11, 2025, over the government’s failure to implement a long-standing salary agreement.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) confirmed that all their members across airports will ground operations from 5:00 a.m. on the stated date.
The strike action is primarily targeted at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), whose workers the unions say have been shortchanged despite a salary review agreement reached over eight months ago.
In their seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on July 31, the unions demanded the immediate implementation of the reviewed salary structure for NAMA staff.
With the ultimatum expiring today, the unions say the government has failed to honour its part of the agreement or engage in meaningful dialogue.
“Recognizing that notice of ultimatum has already been issued and served by our branches, which our national unions have adopted, a seven-day notice of withdrawal of services from Thursday, the 31st of July, 2025, is hereby issued,” the union leaders said in a letter jointly signed by their general secretaries.
Sources within the unions told PLATFORM TIMES that frustration among rank-and-file workers has peaked, with many accusing both the NAMA management and the Aviation Ministry of breaching trust and deliberately stalling implementation.
The reviewed salary structure, according to union officials, was finalised after extensive negotiations to address long-standing disparities in remuneration and improve staff welfare. However, eight months later, the agreement remains on paper.
Industry watchers warn that the planned strike could paralyze both local and international flights, with ripple effects on commerce, logistics, and passenger movement nationwide.
Efforts to get an official response from the Ministry of Aviation have so far proved abortive. However, insiders within the ministry hinted at ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to reach out to union leaders in a bid to avert a full-blown crisis.
Aviation analysts have advised travellers to stay alert for updates from airlines and airport authorities, as flight delays and cancellations are expected once the strike begins.
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