By Nkechi Eze
Following a high-level intervention by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), the strike action embarked upon by unions within the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has been suspended until May 13, 2025, pending the outcome of the Minister’s intervention on the issues raised.
Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honorable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development in an official signed statement disclosed that the development emerged at the end of a crucial meeting convened by the Honourable Minister with leaders of the aggrieved unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
Speaking after the meeting, Comrade Aba Ocheme, National Secretary of NUATE, confirmed the decision:
“We have resolved to suspend the ongoing strike till May 13, 2025, in recognition of the Honourable Minister’s timely and sincere intervention. We await the progress of the actions he has committed to take.”
Corroborating the position, Comrade Alale Adedayo, National President of ANAP, noted:
“As a mark of respect for the Honourable Minister’s intervention and assurance, we have decided to temporarily call off the strike while the process of resolution is ongoing.”
The unions had downed tools over a number of unresolved grievances relating to poor working conditions, including salary relativity with other aviation agencies, non-implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment to the national minimum wage (affecting at least 30 omitted staff), demands for a 25/35% salary increase, 40% hardship/peculiar allowances, annual staff trainings, among others.
In response, the Honourable Minister expressed empathy with the affected workers and pledged his commitment to finding lasting solutions to their concerns. As part of immediate steps, he announced the following:
Personal intervention through formal communications to both the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Minister of Finance, aimed at fast-tracking the resolution of pressing financial concerns;
Establishment of a Ministerial Committee, headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, to interface with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to clarify issues surrounding subsistence allowances and related matters.
The Honourable Minister reiterated the importance of industrial harmony in the aviation sector and commended the union leaders for their maturity, patriotism, and willingness to dialogue in the national interest.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni assures all stakeholders that tangible progress will be made before the May 13 deadline, and calls for continued cooperation as it works to ensure improved welfare and working conditions for NIMET staff and all aviation personnel.
