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After 22 Years, Nigerian Government Finally Sanctions Pension Payments for Former Nigeria Airways Employees

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 23rd, 2025.

After 22 Years, Nigerian Government Finally Sanctions Pension Payments for Former Nigeria Airways Employees

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially authorized the payment of pensions to retired aviation personnel, ending a wait that has stretched nearly 22 years, according to Daily Watch Nigeria.

In an announcement made public on Tuesday through the National Orientation Agency’s (NOA) official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Ministry of Aviation confirmed that pension disbursements will commence shortly. The ministry also assured stakeholders that the process will be handled with transparency and fairness.

The approval marks a significant breakthrough for thousands of retired aviation workers who have long awaited their rightful entitlements following years of union advocacy and public pressure. This move specifically includes former employees of Nigeria Airways, the now-defunct national carrier.

Nigeria Airways, which was fully government-owned, operated from 1958 until it was shut down in 2003 due to financial difficulties, mismanagement, and corruption. The airline’s closure left over 6,000 former staff members without full access to their pensions and gratuities, sparking nearly two decades of appeals for redress.

The unions representing aviation workers have been vocal about this issue, consistently demanding justice for retirees who suffered from delayed or unpaid benefits. Many stakeholders have welcomed the government’s recent decision, viewing it as a vital step toward restoring dignity and confidence in the country’s aviation sector.

Back in 2018, major aviation unions—including 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 ground Nigerian airspace over the government’s failure to pay an outstanding sum of N45 billion owed to retired workers.

The unions criticized the persistent delays and urged then-Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to resolve the issue promptly, highlighting the toll on retirees, many of whom had died without receiving their benefits.

Although former President Muhammadu Buhari approved ₦22 billion for partial payment in 2018, union reports reveal that about N36 billion remains unsettled, leaving many retirees in financial hardship.

In a related development, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Aviation recently warned it would withhold the Ministry of Aviation’s budget unless adequate funds are allocated to clear the outstanding payments to former Nigeria Airways staff.