The industrial action by workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has cost domestic airlines heavily.The airlines, which have either suspended flight services or are battling the disruption, have hinted at significant losses and the risk of going out of business over the incessant strike by the aviation workers’ union.
The worst culprit is Air Peace airline, which suspended all flight operations on Wednesday, citing safety concerns. Trouble started Wednesday morning when workers of the agency commenced an indefinite strike, withdrawing all meteorological services – a critical safety component for departing or arriving flights at nationwide airports.
Air Peace, the leading carrier in the country, announced the suspension of all flight operations nationwide with immediate effect, due to the strike action by NIMET.
According to the airline, without Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather (CNH) reports, which are critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, from the control tower, flight safety cannot be guaranteed.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service. We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling.”
The issues at NIMET include alleged non-implementation of the new minimum wage, non-payment of nine months’ arrears from the 2019 Minimum Wage Act, refusal to comply with ministerial directives on reviewing conditions of service, and non-implementation of the revised scheme of service since 2019.
Other grievances of the workers include non-payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, the 25–35 per cent wage award, and the hardship allowance. Workers also cited management’s failure to support the transition from CONMETSS and refusal to engage in dialogue with the union.
National Deputy President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Uzor Samuel Oluchi, said one major grievance is the 2019 minimum wage arrears. The federal government has owed workers nine months of arrears since 2019.
Another issue is the 45-month arrears owed to workers. Through agitation last year, 33 months’ worth was paid, but 30 staff members are still owed. Although the 2025 minimum wage was approved in March, it has yet to be implemented.
A key demand is salary relativity. The agency has the lowest salary structure. A level 4 officer earns N31,000, and a level 8 officer receives N83,000. Workers are calling for a revised salary structure.
A NIMET director, who chose to remain anonymous, said: “Management is disappointed with the union’s hardline stance when some issues have been resolved and others are in progress. It’s surprising because the unions recently thanked management for its labour-friendly policies. It raises questions about hidden motives or attempts to sabotage management.”
Meanwhile, Mr Nasiru Sani, Director of Human Resources, in a letter signed on behalf of the Director-General, addressed the union’s concerns (dated April 10, 2025). He appealed for calm, assuring that management is working diligently to address all issues.
While the union claimed that the agreement signed on January 28, 2025, was not implemented, management clarified that many issues require input from other government bodies and are pending approval or funding.
Regarding the negotiated Conditions of Service, management emphasized that the document was enriched with additional allowances by the DG and handed to a union representative on April 9.
A similar industrial action at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), Lagos, in 2022, which lasted 24 hours, cost operators over 70 flights with attendant loss of revenue.
A Chief Operating Officer said the strike is cruel as it affects only operators and the travelling public, not NIMET management. He said: “My question has always been, who pays for all the fights rescheduled and cancelled? The protesting union will get their wishes somehow. They will claim victory. What of the customers who were not allowed to keep important appointments and airlines that lost huge revenue?
“It is only in Nigerian aviation that unions will wake up one day and shut down airlines and terminals without any prior notice. Yet, these workers still depend on these airlines to pay them at the end of the month.
“I expect the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other authorities to call them to order because it is an economic crime against the general public, the airline, with serious implications for safety. It is not the first time they have been this aggressive, but it should never happen in all seriousness. Their blind actions are more damaging to the industry. If they cannot be part of the solution, let them stop being a problem,” he said.
