FG Approves Pensions for Retired Nigeria Airways Personnel After 20 Years
The Federal Government has sanctioned the disbursement of pensions for retired aviation personnel, culminating a wait of nearly 22 years.
In a declaration disseminated by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) through its official X account on Tuesday, the Agency elucidated that the Ministry of Aviation has affirmed that disbursements will commence imminently, with an assurance of maintaining transparency and equity throughout the procedure.
“The Federal Government has sanctioned the long-anticipated pensions for retired aviation personnel, delivering overdue relief to the multitude who dedicated their service to the sector. This decision succeeds years of advocacy by unions striving for justice for retirees, especially from defunct national carriers.
“The Ministry of Aviation has verified that the payments will be processed shortly, with a pledge to transparency,” the statement partially conveyed.
The approval of payments also encompasses former employees of the airline.
Nigeria Airways functioned from 1958 until it terminated operations in 2003 due to maladministration, corruption, and accumulating debts. It was wholly owned by the Federal Government.
Following its closure, over 6,000 former employees were deprived of their full pensions and gratuities, inciting nearly two decades of appeals for justice.
The decision arrives after years of relentless advocacy by unions demanding justice for retired personnel, notably those from defunct national carriers.
The statement further mentioned that stakeholders have embraced the development. Many perceive it as a long-overdue stride towards reinstating dignity and trust within the aviation sector.
In 2018, aviation unions, encompassing the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) threatened to immobilize Nigerian airspace over the government’s failure to disburse N45 billion in entitlements owed to the retirees.
The unions denounced the deferred payments and cautioned the then Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, that they would not remain passive while retirees continued to perish without receiving their benefits.
That same year, former President Muhammadu Buhari authorized ₦22 billion for partial payment. Nonetheless, union records reveal that N36 billion remained outstanding, leaving many retirees in financial distress. Some succumbed while awaiting their pensions.
In January 2025, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation threatened to obstruct the Ministry of Aviation’s budget unless adequate provisions were made for the settlement of outstanding entitlements to former Nigeria Airways personnel.
