The Federal Government has finally approved the payment of pensions to retired workers of Nigeria Airways, ending a 22-year wait for thousands of former employees of the defunct national carrier.
The announcement was made through a statement shared by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) via its official X handle. The statement confirmed that the Ministry of Aviation has begun preparations for the disbursement of funds and has pledged to ensure transparency and fairness in the payment process.
“The Federal Government has approved the long-awaited pensions for retired aviation workers, bringing long-overdue relief to thousands who served in the sector,” the statement read. “The Ministry of Aviation confirmed that the payments will be processed soon, with a commitment to transparency.”
This approval marks a major milestone in a prolonged battle by aviation unions, who have repeatedly called on the government to settle the entitlements of former Nigeria Airways employees.
Nigeria Airways, once the country’s flagship carrier, operated from 1958 until its collapse in 2003 due to mismanagement, corruption, and mounting debt. Over 6,000 staff were left without their full pensions and gratuities, prompting nearly two decades of advocacy and protests.
In 2018, aviation unions including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) threatened to shut down airspace operations unless the government paid the retirees’ entitlements. That same year, then-President Muhammadu Buhari approved N22 billion for partial payments, but union records showed that N36 billion remained unpaid.
The prolonged delay left many retirees in financial hardship, with several reportedly dying without receiving their benefits. The latest move by the Federal Government is expected to provide long-overdue relief to the remaining beneficiaries and their families.
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