Aviation Unions Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Delayed Salary Implementation

Nigeria’s aviation sector is facing the risk of a complete shutdown as unions representing workers under the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The unions are demanding the immediate implementation of a new salary structure that was agreed upon over eight months ago.

In a joint letter dated July 31, 2025, the unions expressed deep frustration over the federal government’s failure to honour the negotiated salary adjustments. They warned that failure to act before August 7 will result in the total withdrawal of NAMA workers’ services across the country—an action that could paralyze operations at airports and disrupt flights nationwide.

The ultimatum was jointly signed by the General Secretaries of key aviation unions: the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, National Union of Air Transport Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees.

According to the unions, negotiations for the revised salary structure had been successfully concluded with NAMA management, yet the agreed changes have not been implemented. This prolonged delay, they argue, has left workers demoralized and financially strained.

“Our members have become increasingly agitated,” the letter stated. “The frustration has been formally communicated by our rank and file through their respective associations. After months of silence, we are left with no option but to act.”

The unions emphasized that their patience has run out, noting that individual branches had previously issued warnings. Their national leadership has now fully endorsed the ultimatum, making it a collective decision to issue a unified seven-day notice beginning Thursday, July 31.

“If by the expiration of this notice the salary adjustment is not implemented, workers across all NAMA facilities nationwide will begin the immediate withdrawal of their services,” the unions declared. “All NAMA clients and stakeholders should consider this notice as a final warning.”

The implications of such an industrial action are significant. NAMA is responsible for managing airspace navigation and ensuring flight safety across Nigeria. A disruption in their services could ground both domestic and international flights, delay cargo operations, and affect critical aviation logistics.

The aviation unions are calling on Festus Keyamo and the Ministry of Aviation to act swiftly and decisively to prevent a shutdown that could cripple the aviation industry. They argue that resolving the salary issue is not only a matter of labour rights but essential to maintaining safety and stability within Nigeria’s airspace.

This dispute adds to ongoing labour tensions in various sectors across the country, as inflation continues to bite and public sector wage issues remain unresolved. Workers are increasingly demanding that negotiated agreements be honoured without delay.

As the countdown to August 7 begins, all eyes are on the Ministry of Aviation to see whether it will act to avert the looming disruption and restore confidence among workers and stakeholders in the aviation sector.