Flight operations were disrupted on Wednesday at major airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano following protests by staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
At the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, some airlines such as XEJET, Aero Contractors, and Ibom Air continued operations, while others, including Air Peace, suspended their services.
Air Peace, in a statement posted on its official X handle and signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulo, explained the reason behind its decision: “Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of CNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings, Air Peace has suspended all flight operations nationwide until the strike is over. Your safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and will share updates as the situation unfolds.”
In response to the strike, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has scheduled a meeting with representatives of the protesting unions to hold today (Thursday).
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the protest began at 7:00 am, with union members and NiMet staff seen patrolling the airport. Some staff reportedly stayed overnight at the agency’s premises to ensure full compliance with the strike directive.
Similarly, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, many passengers were stranded as a result of the protests. NiMet workers were protesting the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage, among other grievances. Several flights were delayed or cancelled as a result.
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The Northwest Zonal Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees, Timothy Meshelia, confirmed the disruption: “The protesting staff are accusing the management of NiMet of failing to implement the N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wage, non-payment of staff allowances, ignoring requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes, among other issues. The association has given the management one month to implement the new minimum wage or face industrial action.”
Speaking from the union’s perspective, National Deputy President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Uzor Oluchi, criticised the agency’s poor treatment of staff.
“The welfare of NiMet staff is very poor. If you come to the aviation industry, NiMet staff are paid less. As I’m talking to you, a level 4 NiMet staff is collecting N31,000 despite the minimum wage that the Federal Government is giving,” she said.
