Airline Operators Must Obey Regulations: NAAPE President

As his second tenure comes to an end, the President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Abednego Galadima, has reflected on his years of leadership, the turbulence faced by Nigeria’s aviation industry, and the resilience of the union in defending pilots’ and engineers’ rights.

Speaking on issues ranging from airline collapses and COVID-19 disruptions to mistrust between unions and operators, Galadima made it clear that airline companies must comply with all labour and regulatory laws if the sector is to thrive.

Galadima, who first assumed office in 2017 after a highly competitive election, recalled inheriting a divided union and an industry reeling from setbacks. At the time, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had taken over Aero Contractors and Arik Air, two of Nigeria’s biggest carriers.

“Aero used to be a very strong base of NAAPE, and the takeover hit us hard,” he said. “We faced redundancy challenges, unpaid compensations, and serious financial strain as an association.”

According to him, union finances dwindled as rent and salaries became difficult to cover, but relentless negotiations eventually secured 95 percent of outstanding payments for members.

He also highlighted the negative perception of unions within the industry. Some operators, he said, viewed unions as disruptive, even accusing them of contributing to airline collapses. “That is a lie,” Galadima argued. “If not for unions, Aero Contractors and Arik Air would not be standing today.”

One of the toughest moments of his presidency was the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced airports to shut down and led to massive layoffs. In one instance, 69 pilots were dismissed at once.

“Both the airlines and workers suffered. We had to advocate for bailout packages to keep airlines alive while also ensuring our members got fair compensation,” he explained. Some members even received lump-sum settlements that enabled them to start businesses after leaving aviation.

Still, Galadima described the period as painful, with redundancies affecting many skilled workers.

Key Achievements in Office

Despite the challenges, Galadima pointed to significant milestones achieved under his leadership. Among them:

• Unity and Stability: “When we came on board, the union was broken. Today, we have a functional national secretariat in Ikeja and a united association.”

• Safety Evaluation Index: NAAPE pioneered a scientific way to assess airline safety standards, recognising carriers that maintain high safety practices.

• Showcasing Talent: The union published a compendium of 50 outstanding pilots and engineers, serving as inspiration and mentoring material for younger professionals.

• Training and Constitution Reform: NAAPE updated its constitution, organised leadership training, and ensured proper documentation of members.

• Financial Growth: The establishment of Penn Aviation Institute, an Approved Training Organisation awaiting certification from the NCAA, is set to train aviation professionals and host a travellers’ lodge to boost revenue.

• Support for Families: A new compensation package for bereaved families of members was instituted, providing significant financial support when tragedy strikes.

• Women’s Commission: Galadima inaugurated the NAAPE Women’s Commission, giving female pilots and engineers greater visibility and platforms for engagement.

“We have built a credible organisation that our members can be proud of,” he said.

Despite these gains, Galadima admitted that one of the industry’s biggest challenges remains the employment of young professionals. Many newly licensed pilots cannot find opportunities to log the required flight hours, while engineers face limited hands-on experience.

He called for more Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Nigeria to provide training grounds and create jobs. “Countries like Morocco have several MROs. Nigeria needs to catch up,” he added.

For Galadima, NAAPE’s core mission remains protecting members’ welfare. “We negotiate conditions of service based on each company’s financial capacity, but we never allow injustice to stand unchallenged,” he said.

He emphasised that welfare negotiations often involve balancing tough realities with fair compensation. “Where airlines try to silence staff or prevent union membership, we insist on workers’ constitutional rights,” he stated.

A recurring battle has been airline operators discouraging union membership. Some companies threaten staff with dismissal if they join NAAPE, despite the law guaranteeing freedom of association.

“This is not a favour we are asking for; it is a constitutional right,” Galadima stressed. “No airline has the authority to decide which laws it will obey.”

He explained that although NAAPE has chosen not to be disruptive, its patience should not be mistaken for weakness. “Compliance with labour laws is not optional. Union dues, for example, must be deducted and remitted by employers. We will keep demanding compliance.”

Another contentious issue is the abuse of expatriate quotas in the aviation sector. Regulations allow foreign experts only where local expertise is lacking, and even then, only for a limited period with training obligations for Nigerians.

“But many employers ignore this. No genuine understudy programmes are put in place, and the system is abused,” Galadima lamented. He urged the NCAA and Ministry of Interior to enforce the law by tracking expatriate workers and maintaining a real-time database of available local professionals.

“We are not against expatriates. But after two years, skills must have been transferred. Otherwise, it becomes exploitation,” he said.

Galadima concluded with a reaffirmation of NAAPE’s commitment to defending pilots and engineers in all circumstances, including cases of unruly passengers.

“As the saying goes, an injury to one is an injury to all. We will never abandon our members,” he declared.

With just weeks before he hands over to a successor, Galadima leaves behind a legacy of resilience, reform, and unity. His message to airline operators remains consistent: compliance with existing laws is not negotiable, and respect for pilots and engineers is essential if Nigeria’s aviation industry is to grow stronger.