Fear of Nigeria Airways haunt airport concession plans
Workers in the country’s aviation sector are worried that what happened to workers of the former Nigeria Airways might haunt them if the issue of airport concession was not well managed.
Former workers of Nigeria Airways are yet to receive their full payment years after liquidation by the administration of the President Olusegun Obasanjo
Speaking at the joint aviation trade union’s forum (JATUF) in its 3rd edition of the aviation unions leadership conference, held in Lagos over the weekend, Comrade Ben Nnabue chairman of JATUF, expressed fears that the issue of concession was being carefully handled
“We feel so bad that Nigeria Airways workers have not been paid fully, those of us that are working are worried that what happened to them might happen to us, it is one of the issues that is holding the concession of airports.
Because if Nigeria Airways workers have not been paid till now, there is no guarantee that if you concession the airport that you can even pay the workers”
Describing it as a sensitive issue to the unions, Nnabue who is also the national president of National Union of Air Transport Employees said it is sad that those that laboured for Nigeria as a nation are being treated as slaves and refugees in their motherland
Nnabue pleaded with the minister of Finance to as a matter of urgency pay these workers as the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr Festus Keyamo has played his part concening the payment.
The JATUF chairman noted that if the matter was before the aviation ministry, the workers would have been paid adding that it is not domiciled with the aviation not finance.
He noted that approval has been granted by the Presidency but being held by finance ministry
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Yakubu Kofarmata had assured of continued improvement on workers’ welfare by the ministry as it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the industry’s long-term development goals.
Kofarmata who was represented by the Director of Human Resources and Management, Dr. Sani Bello, noted that his early engagements with unions through the JATUF had underscored the need for deeper collaboration
According to him, the unions must remain key partners in shaping a safer, more efficient and worker-centered aviation industry.
Kofarmata assured that the ministry would strengthen support for union activities and professional development programmes.
Assuring he would give full consideration to resolutions adopted at the conference, stressed that improved conditions of service are inseparable from operational safety and sectoral competitiveness.
In his message, the Rector Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Dr. Danjuma Ismaila represented by Dr. Murtala Ibrahim said NCAT would continue to work closely with unions to enhance staff welfare and capacity development.
He noted that the college’s long-standing partnership with labour groups has contributed to workplace stability and service quality, adding that NCAT remains committed to training programmes that advance career growth for aviation personnel.
Director of Human Resources and Administration, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Gbem Anathesia restated NCAA’s resolve to maintain a safe, supportive work environment.
Represented by Mrs. Ogunmoyin Olanike Yemisi, Head, Human Resources, Lagos Regional Office, she emphasized that staff welfare is the backbone of aviation safety and urged sustained collaboration between management and unions to strengthen leadership, protect workers and enhance operational reliability.
The conference with the theme, “Safe Landing, Strong Leadership, Prioritizing Workers’ Welfare in the Aviation Sector,” brought together key industry stakeholders who agreed that meaningful improvements in worker well-being remain essential to securing a safer and more resilient aviation system.
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