Aviation Unions Give NCAT 14-Day Ultimatum Over Welfare

Four major aviation labour unions have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the management of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, demanding the immediate conclusion of a long-delayed review of staff welfare and conditions of service.

The unions — the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) — warned that failure to meet the deadline would lead to a total withdrawal of services at the college. In a joint statement made available to journalists, the unions expressed what they described as “grave concern and indignation” over NCAT management’s inability to finalise negotiations on the revised Conditions of Service, despite several meetings and repeated assurances. According to the unions, NCAT remains the only major aviation institution yet to implement an updated welfare package for its workers, while staff of sister agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have benefited from improved conditions. They noted that the prolonged delay has negatively affected staff morale and productivity, insisting that the situation is no longer acceptable in an institution responsible for training pilots, engineers and other critical aviation professionals for Nigeria and the West African sub-region. The unions warned that if the ultimatum expires without concrete action, they would have no option but to shut down operations at the college. Such action could disrupt pilot training programmes, technical courses and certification processes, with wider implications for the aviation sector. When contacted, NCAT spokesperson Jude Amadi said management was yet to be fully briefed on the ultimatum but promised to engage union leaders and provide feedback. NCAT is Nigeria’s foremost aviation training institution and plays a strategic role in manpower development for the industry. Stakeholders fear that any shutdown could worsen existing capacity gaps in the sector and affect airlines, regulators and trainees alike.